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Law enforcement officers in Newport News, Virginia discovered an illegal Internet gambling setup, very similar to online casinos, in a check cashing business.  The Cash Express business was not a store from for illegal operations, but they also offered Internet Sweepstakes.  Law enforcement took their time building a case against the business and sent undercover officers into the establishment three times in the month of April.  A search warrant was obtained in the Newport News Circuit Court.

Upon receiving the warrant, Newport News law enforcement staged a raid of the Cash Express.  During the raid 20 computer gaming machines and a card reader were seized.  All items are currently in police custody and are being examined as evidence.  No arrests have been made and no crimes have yet been charged.

“There have been no arrests, but charges are pending,” said Lou Thurston, police spokesman.

Internet Sweepstakes Centers like the one found in Newport News have been popping up all over the nations.  The set up is very simple and there are usually no clear rules as to whether the activity is legal or not; the sort of operate in a legal loophole. 

Patrons transfer money from a credit or debit card onto a swipe card.  Patrons then swipe the card at a computer terminal giving them access to what is similar to online casinos action.  But the thing that separates these sweepstakes centers from online casinos, is that winning is not completely at random.  Winners are predetermined upon swiping the card.  Since the games are not truly games of chance, there is no real illegal gambling, technically, taking place.

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