Fish game ruling

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Fish game ruling

/ March 15, 2022

A Catawba County Judge has dismissed the temporary restraining order and injunction filed by Fun Arcade LLC against the Hickory Police Department.

The Honorable Judge Gregory Hayes signed the order on Tuesday, March 15, following a hearing that took place in Catawba County Superior Court on Monday, March 14.

In April 2019, the Court ruled that fish game systems are legal and granted a preliminary injunction. Now that has been overturned.

“This order dismissing the Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction following yesterday’s hearing confirms our continued belief that the games in question do violate the gambling and slot machine statutes of North Carolina,” said Chief Thurman Whisnant. “We are currently evaluating how we intend to address businesses who continue operate these machines illegally.”

Judge Hayes's decision mirrors a Supreme Court case addressing a lawsuit filed by Gift Surplus, LLC and Sandhill Amusement against several state law enforcement officials and Gov. Roy Cooper.

On Feb. 11, 2022, the Court ruled that the company’s kiosks do violate N.C.G.S. § 14-306.4.