By Jessica Tuggle
jtuggle@hometownnewsol.com
VERO BEACH -- It's always fun to win competitions, whether your opponent is a person or a computer.
Adult arcades offer gaming opportunities at nearly all hours of the day for people that want to get out of the house and enjoy games with elements of risk, chance and pure luck.
Mirage Arcade opened west of Vero Beach in November 2012 and customer numbers have steadily increased as the word has spread, said Peggy Collins, an employee.
The business has both arcade and Internet consoles, giving customers their choice of favorite games and gaming style all in one location.
"We're pretty full just about every day and every evening," Ms. Collins said.
Mirage Arcade is located next adjacent to a BP Food Mart and gas station along State Road 60 and is easily accessible from the main highway.
Raymond and Jean Coulter of Vero Beach come to the arcade nearly every day to play games and try to win prizes.
The Coulters have enjoyed coming to arcades for many years now and Mirage's location is very convenient for them.
"Arcades are our favorite, everybody is very friendly the men and the women," Mrs. Coulter said.
The employees at Mirage are very helpful and considerate of her husband, who is vision-impaired.
"They all take really good care of him," she said.
Barbara and Don Brown of Sebastian also enjoy the service they receive at Mirage Arcade.
Mr. Brown can easily get around the rooms in his wheelchair and the staff is always friendly, Ms. Brown said.
"We've made friends coming to arcades. In fact, one of my best friends I met in an arcade and we go on cruises together now," Mrs. Brown said.
In addition to Ms. Collins, also known as "Peggy Piper," Mirage is staffed with "Smilin'" Paul Difazio, "Jackpot" Jimmie Oldacker and "Just Kevin S" Schroader.
Progressive bingo is held twice a day, daily and the arcade also has jackpot and hot seat drawings, Ms. Collins said.
Mr. Difazio's smooth and clear voice is broadcast over the speakers so everyone in the building can hear the bingo calls and can play along from their seat.
The arcade is available for booking special events, including birthdays.
"Lots of people like to bring in their friends or family on their birthday, so we have special incentives," Ms. Collins said.
Although the law permits adults 18 and older entry into adult arcades, Mirage Arcade's policy is to allow entry for adults 21 and older only.
Business hours are Sunday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 11p.m. and Friday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to midnight.
Mirage Arcade is located at 8195 20th St., Vero Beach, next to the BP Food Mart. For more information, call (772) 563-0093.