Drinking games are portrayed as essential parts of the college experience, but playing them in bars can be a risky venture.Louisiana authorities have been cracking down on bars allowing on-site games, claiming they promote binge drinking.The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as consuming five or more drinks for men or four or more drinks for women in the span of two hours.Bartenders are legally prohibited from serving drunk customers, and the state Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Murphy Painter said bars promoting 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.  Penalties include hefty fines — $500 for the first offense, $1,500 for the second and up to $2,500 for the third. The bar’s license is also subject to suspension for any offense, Painter said.  Conner Adamek, entertainment manager at Bogie’s Bar, said drinking games are most popular among college freshmen who are generally under the legal drinking age.”We’re not allowed to play beer pong,” he said. “If it were legal, we still wouldn’t do it. We’re more of an older crowd.”  Some local bars take risks and find ways around the rules despite restrictions on drinking games at bars, Adamek said.”Some places have these pool tables, and they just put a board on top for beer pong,” he said. Adam Rousel, manager at The Station Sports Bar & Grill, said his establishment does not have the facilities for drinking games but plenty of other local bars allow them. He said drinking games encourage binge drinking, but they should be allowed in bars.”I see it in Tigerland and places like that — it’s mostly college kids,” Rousel said. “As long as they’ve got someone to drive them home, it’s OK.”Matt Robinson, construction management junior, said he regularly plays beer pong in bars with his friends.”It saves money because if you win, the other team has to pay for the beer,” he said. “You can drink for free.”Robinson said he doesn’t blame drinking games for promoting binge drinking because customers go to bars to drink anyway. He said promoting responsible drinking habits isn’t a bar’s responsibility.Fred’s Bar said they try to avoid drinking games.”Nowadays if you have a party and you bring a keg inside, you could get suspended,” Adamek said. “I don’t condone underage drinking, but you want to create a fun environment.”But bars luring customers in with drinking games are still breaking the law.   “Drinking is a controlled commodity with serious consequences,” Painter said. “It’s not a game.”–Contact Elizabeth Clausen at [email protected]