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Marshfield Voters Keep Long Standing Video Game Ban

MARSHFIELD (CBS) – Marshfield residents voted Monday to uphold their town's ban on video games.

A proposal to allow coin-operated games back into restaurants and grocery stores was rejected by a 655-to-544 vote.

The games have been banned in Marshfield since 1982.

WBZ-TV spoke to town residents before the vote took place.

"People wanna come in, it's another form of entertainment," said Stephen Drosopoulos, who owns Venus II Restaurant. "(They) wanna come in, have a couple drinks, play some video games in the bar."

WBZ-TV's Jim Smith reports.

When the games were banned 29 years ago the fight went all the way to the Supreme Court. Opponents told WBZ-TV the question is about much more than the games themselves. They say it's about the future and character of this seacoast community.

"It would definitely change the type of entertainment we offer," said Faith Jean, who supports the video game ban. "We're a coastal town. Now are we an amusement coastal town or are we fishing and swimming and sailing?"

Despite the video game ban under state law Marshfield allows Keno in bars, restaurants and some stores.

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