But the mall owner will be happy to tell you (out of the other side of his mouth) "The mall is today's town square and meeting place..."
And so what if they do?
They make their money by people buying stuff once they're there. They don't make money by people sitting around, taking up seats from other customers.
They let them have the same use of the mall as the morning mall workers. That's generous enough. I can't believe anyone is so pathetic and whiney that they would complain about a mall telling them they can't take up valuable food court space to play chess all day (And not buy any food!)