North Carolina’s Internet Sweepstakes Cafes In Danger

For years, so-called internet sweepstakes cafes have been appearing in strip malls across the state North Carolina. They have been operating legally, because of a loophole in state’s law banning video poker machines.

Many feel that they should be called casinos.

This week, legislation to ban such establishments sailed through the State Senate by a 47-1 vote. However, lawmakers in the House say that it may not be as easy for them to choose on their side.

Many in the House feel that the state should take a long look at a way to control and tax these games instead of destroying then entire industry in the state.

While some representatives have made up their minds to vote for the ban, others are on still on the fence. Lawmakers have said publicly that they have been overwhelmed by citizens in their districts lobby against the ban.

A large portion of the public feel that these sweepstakes cafes create jobs and banning them would only raise North Carolina’s rising unemployment rate.

Some financial analysts feel that the taxation of the industry could bring the state nearly $500 million per year in revenue.