An emergence of gaming parlors in one Eastern North Carolina city has officials mapping out a strategy about how to regulate them as legislators and state courts debate whether the businesses are legal.
Shops sell customers phone cards or Internet time that also allows them to play sweepstakes games -- mostly slots and card games. Customers can win prizes, more playing time or cash.
There are seven such locations in Rocky Mount, and some bingo halls have also established the games.
The Rocky Mount City Council will consider imposing a moratorium on the so-called sweepstakes cafes today. Planning Director Ann Wall said that will allow officials time to craft regulations.
"Some of our concerns are dealing with hours of operation, how many of these should be open in the same area, and we have parking and traffic concerns," Wall said.
Rocky Mount would be following a statewide trend by implementing stringent local regulations on sweepstakes cafes. Wilson passed a similar moratorium in December.
Wall said the city doesn't have any plans to eradicate the sweepstakes businesses, controversial as they may be.
Planning officials would like time to study the cafes and any negative consequences they might have on commerce.
Some elected officials want to outlaw the businesses, but that's not an option.
Several North Carolina judges have ruled that the way patrons pay to play the games at the cafes and the randomness of winning differentiates the cafe games from illegal gambling. The industry likens the business to instant-win games played at fast-food restaurants and under bottle tops.
Legal or not, Councilman Reuben Blackwell said he believes that the Internet gaming parlors are exploiting a vulnerable population and bending state gambling laws to the detriment of the community.
"I see it as an opportunity to prey on people who are already living at risk," Blackwell said. "Just because it's popular doesn't mean it's right. Aside from filling retail space, I see no benefit from these establishments."
Shirley Gander, a 66-year-old single grandmother, said she doesn't feel violated or exploited.
"The city doesn't need to be messing with the sweepstakes," Gander said.
"The city needs to worry about these utility rates, not gambling," she said. "I could barely afford to pay my bill last month."
While most owners of the parlors declined requests for interviews, Eric Shields, the manager of EZ Access, said he has nothing to hide.
"Everything we're doing is perfectly legal," Shields said. "We're not forcing anyone to come in here. I feel like everyone has a choice, and if you don't like it, don't come."
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