The six internet cafes in Colorado could be forced to close if legislation sponsored by state Rep. Polly Lawrence becomes law. Lawrence’s bill would ban any establishment in Colorado equipped with “simulated gambling devices used to award prizes to customers.”
Lawrence said, “Their computers are set up to work exactly like slot machines. But there are none of the background checks or requirements that casinos have in place, like having to have a certain amount paid out.” Lawrence added the businesses essentially are illegal gambling operations that “feed on” people who can least afford to gamble, including seniors and low-income players.
“To me, these businesses are a violation of the Constitution and what the people voted on,” which includes legal gambling only in Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek, which is in Lawrence’s district. The bill’s co-sponsor, state Rep. KC Becker, represents Central City and Black Hawk.
Carolyn Tyler, a spokeswoman with the Colorado attorney general’s office, said her department supports Lawrence’s bill, since it would stop an activity that does not “comply with existing constitutional and statutory requirements for the conduct of licensed gambling activity in public policy.”
Only Ohio, Florida and Mississippi ban internet sweepstakes cafes.
