University Plaza may soon become home to skill-based gaming machines – that is, if they pass the test.

At last night’s Kent City Council meeting, council unanimously approved legislation requiring all skill-based game machines to prove they aren’t gambling machines.

James Silver, law director for the City of Kent, said the legislation will prohibit gambling from coming into the city.

“We think a lot of skill games could be gambling machines,” he said, adding all machines brought into Kent must be tested, as they are in the city of Tallmadge, before entering the city.

Silver said each machine must be tested by one of three companies in the United States.

“If they come back saying they are based on skill, they can be put in the city,” he said.

Silver said the legislation was approved last night because there have been talks of a skill-based arcade opening in University Plaza.

During its meeting, council also approved a $1,000 grant from the Henry V. and Frances W. Christenson Foundation for Kent’s Adopt-a-Spot program. Linda Copley, clerk of Kent City Council, said the program is designed to “beautify areas” downtown.

The council also thanked Justin Jeffery, Undergraduate Student Senate senator for community affairs, for inviting the council to speak with USS during it’s meeting yesterday about the recent nuisance party ordinance.

Contact public affairs reporter Katie Alberti at [email protected].