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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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