When most people think of states with issues surrounding gambling, North Carolina rarely comes to mind. However, that has changed with a recent deal reached between US Attorney Thomas Walker’s office, and six software companies, who provided gambling software for nearly 600 North Carolina “sweepstakes cafes”.
Over the past eight years, these establishments have been prominent in North Carolina, with gambling machines luring in customers. Operators of the sweepstakes cafes tried to dodge the law by saying legal games were provided, thus not satisfying the definition of gambling.
North Carolina officials were not buying it though, and were thoroughly convinced patrons were not going to the establishments to purchase Internet time or phone cards, but to gamble instead. They believe that this decision, in addition to the actions of the US Attorney’s office, will make it easier to keep the sweepstakes industry under control.
The agreement involves software providers ceasing operations by July 1, with an agreement by Walker that no criminal charges will be filed against them. Mark Senter, head of a N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement branch, said, “Sweepstakes machines have been a source of problems for local law enforcement and the community for years. It is our hope this action eliminates this illegal activity.”
