Babylon Park Faces Lawsuit Over Pricing and Gambling-Like Games

A class-action lawsuit seeking 2.5 million shekels has been filed against Babylon Park Israel, the operator of the Babylon Park chain of entertainment complexes, in Israel's Central District Court in Lod. The plaintiffs are demanding the company pay this amount and also require Babylon Park to display the shekel value alongside the price of "Babylon coins" for each game. Additionally, the lawsuit seeks to prohibit the operation, promotion, and use of machines and games that allegedly rely on chance, luck, or randomness.

The plaintiffs argue that customers cannot pay for games directly in shekels but must first purchase the internal currency, "Babylon coins." They contend that the cost of operating the machines is only shown in these virtual coins, with the conversion rate varying based on the package purchased, making it difficult, especially for minors, to understand the true cost of playing. The lawsuit also claims that inspections revealed machines incorporating elements of gambling, such as "machines of luck," roulette, and "wheels of fortune," which they believe require additional oversight when used in family-oriented entertainment centers.

Babylon Park has denied the allegations, stating that the lawsuit presents a "partial, biased, and misleading picture of the company's activities." The court will now decide whether to accept the class-action lawsuit for consideration.