Campbell council considering Internet gaming cafes

campbell

Council can consider whether it wants to allow businesses that feature Internet gaming in the city, but police might shut them down, says the city’s law

director.

Mayor George Krinos told council at its caucus meeting Wednesday that he got three calls from people who would like to open Internet cafes, which let customers buy Internet time to go on websites and play games. Krinos said the city could make money off the cafes in permit fees.

The owners of the establishments say the games don’t break state gambling laws because they are sweepstakes games, such as McDonald’s Monopoly game.

Because the winners are predetermined, they argue, they aren’t gambling.

Law Director Mark Kolmacic said Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins has issued an opinion that the games are illegal gambling.

“‘Sweepstakes’ is another creation to circumvent the gambling laws,” Kolmacic said.

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