Amusement device license denials on S. Oneida Street
Summary
Two Oneida Street businesses appealed the city's denial of licenses for Big Daddy Games machines that police say operate like gambling devices. The committee recommended denying Mad Elephant outright and allowing only a golf game and dart machine at Houdini's Escape.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jan 21, 2026.
Impact analysis
Denial means the businesses lose potential revenue from the machines; the city avoids licensing devices it considers gambling.
Residents concerned about gambling expansion in neighborhood bars.
The two applicant businesses, which lose the ability to operate most of the disputed machines.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Common Council — January 21, 2026
The city denied a gambling-style amusement device license for Mad Elephant and only partially approved Houdini's Escape Gastropub's request, treating the Big Daddy Games machines as gambling devices.
Safety and Licensing Committee — January 14, 2026
Two Oneida Street businesses appealed the city's denial of licenses for Big Daddy Games machines that police say operate like gambling devices. The committee recommended denying Mad Elephant outright and allowing only a golf game and dart machine at Houdini's Escape.
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