North Carolina asks Where do you draw the line on gambling?

One of the biggest gambling issues in North Carolina involves the proliferation of those Internet sweepstakes parlors where computerized versions of slot machines, video poker, keno and many more games can be accessed.Mount Airy is now home to at least five of those businesses, mirroring a trend across the state that has posed a quandary for lawmakers unsure of how to deal with the practice. Part of the problem seems to be the distinction between computer servers used by the Internet cafes and actual gambling devices such as video poker machines which clearly are outlawed.Read more: Mount Airy News - Where do you draw the line on gambling

Asheville NC passes some limits on video sweepstakes

City Council passed some restrictions on so-called “video sweepstakes” machines Tuesday, but put off other rules for six months. The machines are close cousins to video gambling machines banned in North Carolina in 2007 except at the casino in Cherokee. They are now cropping up around the state and locally in convenience stores and stand-alone parlors.
The council voted 4-3 to set a $1,000 application fee and $2,500 fee per machine. Mayor Terry Bellamy and councilmen Jan Davis and Bill Russell voted no. The following passed 6-1 with Russell dissenting: restricting large operators from residential areas and most other zoning districts but allowing smaller operators in community business districts; setting the cap at 20 machines per establishment; and giving businesses 180 days to comply. Read Story

North Carolina proposes that Lottery Commission oversee video gambling

The state lottery would have a little brother in North Carolina, if state Sen. Julia Boseman gets her way. The Democratic senator from New Hanover County is sponsoring legislation that would allow video gambling in North Carolina to be overseen by the N.C. Lottery Commission.
The Video Gaming Entertainment Act would allow gambling machines, provided they are licensed, regulated and their proceeds taxed by the state, according to a draft bill released by Boseman’s legislative office on Tuesday. Read Story

Asheville City Council to consider restrictions on 'video sweepstakes'

ASHEVILLE — City Council will consider today an ordinance that might slow the growth of so-called “video sweepstakes” machines around Asheville. The machines are close cousins to video gambling machines that North Carolina banned as of July 2007 except at the casino in Cherokee. They are turning up around Buncombe County and the state in convenience stores and other businesses, including stand-alone video sweepstakes parlors in some cities.
Proposed city rules would limit the machines to commercial zoning districts allowing more intense use, prohibit them close to homes, schools and places of worship, and require owners to pay a $2,500 fee for a business license plus $500 per machine. Read entire Story

City council honors former member, regulates Internet cafes

5/19/2010
ROANOKE RAPIDS — Roanoke Rapids City Council honored one of their former members and moved forward on regulations regarding Internet cafes in the city Tuesday night during the Council’s regular meeting at Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall.
The new ordinance goes on to restrict locations — must be 500 feet minimum distance from any residence or residential zoning district, 1,000 feet minimum distance from a church, day care center, elementary school or secondary educational school, public park or playground, public library, cemetery, video arcade, or cinema showing G or PG-rated movies regularly. The 1,000-foot minimum distance also applies to other Electronic Gaming Operations, tattoo or piercing establishments, or sexually-oriented businesses.The new regulations limit the number of machines for each establishment at 20, and no alcohol may be served or consumed on the premises. Read entire story

Lawmaker told video poker could net $576M for North Carolina

5/21/2010
RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Education Lottery says the state could one day generate $576 million annually if lawmakers legalize video poker machines again and regulate them heavily. The lottery released on Wednesday its analysis for a state senator who sought information on state revenues that could originate from casino-style video gambling games.
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North Carolina Town looks at sweepstake machine fees

May 19, 2010
The Town of Black Mountain is considering a fee on sweepstakes machines, video terminals on which participants can play poker, blackjack, and other games traditionally associated with gambling. Read story

North CarolinaLawmakers Could Consider Legalizing Video Poker Machines

5/20/2010
The North Carolina Education Lottery says the state could one day generate $576 million annually if lawmakers legalize video poker machines again and regulate them heavily. The lottery released its analysis yesterday. Read entire story