Drinking Games Ongoing Problem for College Students
Drinking games tend to be somewhat of a right of passage for some – especially on college campuses. For those young adults who elect to engage in such games in a bar, the risk escalates.
A recent LSU Reveille reports, Louisiana authorities have been cracking down on those establishments to allow on-site games as they are believed to promote binge drinking. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, binge drinking is defined as drinking five or more drinks for men and four or more for women in the span of two hours.
Bartenders, according to law, are not allowed to serve drunk customers. According to the state Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Murphy Painter, bars that promote drinking games are violating Law 55 Section 305 of the Alcohol Damages Law.
“Certain places are pushing them because they are looking for a way to replace the business lost because of the economy by offering prizes,” Painter said in the LSU Reveille.
For those establishments that choose to ignore the law, fines can be hefty, including $500 for the first offense, $1,500 for the second and as much as $2,500 for the third. The bar could also be at risk of losing its license.
Entertainment manager at Bogie’s Bar, Conner Adamek, noted that drinking games seem to be more popular among college freshmen who tend to be under the legal drinking age. Bogie’s Bar tends to be more of an older crowd and drinking games don’t appear to be a problem.
There seems to be split opinions on whether or not bars should offer a venue for drinking games and whether or not college kids should be allowed to play. Some believe it is a money saver if you win, while others claim it is safe as long as participants are not driving. This skewed perception could be a big part of the problem.
