Changes made in Youngstown policy on Internet gaming

City council’s safety committee agrees with the proposed changes made by the city’s law department to its policy regulating Internet gaming caf s and sweepstakes businesses.

Council could vote on the proposal as early as April 20, said Councilman John R. Swierz, D-7th, who sponsored the legislation and sits on the safety committee. The safety committee met today to discuss the proposed changes.

“The amendments will answer a lot of the questions when the state changes the law” to regulate these businesses, Swierz said.

An Internet caf permits customers to buy Internet time and go on websites to play sweepstakes games of chance. Those who win the games receive money or prizes.

The proposed amended city legislation would require those owning, operating and/or managing such operations to disclose all principals in the business and require them to undergo background criminal checks.

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com