New Skilled Gaming Café Comes to Area

MONEY’S  SKILLED GAMING CAFÉ is bringing a fresh, new entertainment venue to Shiawassee County. The new business, owned by Diane Money, is located on E. M-21, in the same plaza with Jet’s Pizza, directly behind Big Boy. Money’s sister, Carolynn Dora, is the acting manager.
So what is a skilled games café? Quite literally, it is a business that offers entertaining games of skill to customers 18 years of age or older. Customers are able to win prizes or even gift cards playing similar games to those found in casinos, though these games are supposed to offer more of a challenge, since software companies have put considerable effort into designing them.
Money, who is from Durand, shared that she has plenty of experience in the gaming business due to similar businesses she ran in North Carolina, and because she has handled gaming for both the Durand Moose and Eagles lodges. “I know the laws, and I know about staying within the limits,” she stated.
While there is no alcohol allowed or sold on the premises, complementary refreshments and snacks will be offered. Money also plans on hosting special days for seniors only, where they can come enjoy the gaming options, and even have lunch. Currently, Money’s Skilled Gaming Café is offering music, a big screen TV, snacks, beverages and 30 different game units. Tournaments are in the works, as well, and there will be a Valentine’s Day party with tournaments and hot seats available all day.
The café offers 24 low stakes “Pig” games and 17 high stakes “Duck” games, with such popular titles as “Red Hot Fruits,” “Fortune Fairytales,” “The Pig Wizard,” “Liberty Duck” and “Fortune Duck.” “My favorite game is Fairytale,” Money said. There is an ATM on site, the café is a non-smoking venue and the touch-screen game monitors allow for a user-friendly gaming experience.
The café has temporary winter hours; from 2 to 10 p.m. on Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The hours will change over time, and possibly seasonally, as the owner and manager get a better feel for the needs of their customers. Watch for more in upcoming issues of The Independent. Money is planning a ribbon cutting for sometime in March.
(Independent Photos/Graham Sturgeon)