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The Internet sweepstakes storefront operations in
North Carolina are causing quite a stir. The games appear to be
Internet based slot machine parlors, but the games offered at these
locations operate very differently from slot machines. Slot machines
operate on a random number generator. These games have predetermined
results and anything resembling slot machines are just for the purpose
of and entertaining aesthetic.
State legislators are very frustrated with the
sweepstakes operations. Slot machines are only legally operated in
North Carolina on the Cherokee Indian reservation. State Representative
Ray Rapp is determined to shut down the Internet sweepstakes parlors.
His battle seems uphill as the storefronts are emerging all across the
state.
“In the end, it's gambling no matter how you cut it,” said Rapp.
“We've been playing whack-a-mole with the video gambling industry.
Once we pass a law to ban one activity up pops another game that they've
been able to put on internet and circumvent the law.”
Several sweepstakes operations in counties all over the state of
North Carolina have undergone police raids. Unfortunately none of the
raids came of anything because judges have dropped the charges as the
legality of the operations is still unclear.
However, it does appear that most of these operations understand the
fine legal line they walk. Most sweepstakes storefronts are rather
secretive in nature. Signs advertise copies, faxes, and Internet. You
would be hard pressed to find one that said Internet sweepstakes.
Rapp continues his fight on all fronts. He recently filed a bill
that would address the loopholes in the North Carolina gambling laws
that allow these businesses to stay in operation.
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