Arcade game piracy remains a significant threat to developers and operators, draining revenue and undermining intellectual property rights. The most effective protection methods combine technical safeguards, legal measures, and business strategies. Hardware-based security using custom chips or dongles prevents unauthorized duplication by creating unique identifiers that must be present for operation. Regular firmware updates and encrypted communications between components establish additional layers of protection. Online verification systems require arcade machines to periodically authenticate with central servers, enabling remote disabling of pirated copies. Physical security measures including tamper-evident seals and secure mounting of critical components deter hardware manipulation. Legal protections involve clearly displayed copyright notices, end-user license agreements, and pursuing legal action against commercial-scale pirates. Business approaches such as subscription models and content-as-a-service offerings reduce piracy incentives by providing ongoing value through regular updates, new levels, and online features. Operator education programs help identify pirated software and understand the negative impacts on game availability and quality. The most successful anti-piracy strategies implement multiple overlapping methods rather than relying on single solutions, creating defense-in-depth that adapts to evolving piracy techniques while maintaining legitimate user convenience.