A very interesting BlogTO article came out yesterday about an arcade-like game called Key Master that has been popping up in designer shoe consignment shops in Toronto. Players use a joystick to fit a key into a hole that unlocks the prize, which can include expensive designer sneakers such as Yeezys or Air Jordans. The game costs $5 to play. I would like to hear your thoughts - is this considered a form of gambling? If so, what are the implications of having these pop up in consignment...

I am shaking my head over this one. As gambling is defined as “risking money or something of value on the outcome of an event involving chance when the probability of winning or losing is less than certain”. I would consider this ‘gambling’. Would this fall under the pervue of OLG or AGCO for follow-up? Interesting this article (referenced in the first article) speaks to the game being rigged. If it is proven to be rigged, I wonder about the fall-out, if any, for the gaming industry?

Interesting for sure. I would call it a form of "recreational gambling" although $5 a pop seems very high. I agree it could become a potentially risky activity for people who are more vulnerable - quite a few in Queen West!

Thanks for sharing the article about the lawsuit @Registered Member. It will be interesting to see whether the game has some element of skill, and whether the advertisements about it were truthful. I agree with both @Registered Member and @Registered Member that this is a form of unregulated gambling. I find it interesting how forms of gambling evolve over time and how they are now popping up outside of casinos.