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It has been called a moral crusade against personal freedom by some; an issue politicians don't want to touch by others. Whatever icon they wear, Sweepstakes Parlors and Internet Cafe's in Hernando County and Central Florida continue to be at the center of debate.
Opponents to Internet Cafe’s and Sweepstakes Parlors are frustrated because they lack legal grounds to close the establishments they have been trying to declare 'illegal gambling dens.'
Also known as Internet Cafe’s, the establishments allow customers to purchase time to use computers to check email and surf the web. They can also play internet games that look like slot machines. Points won can be redeemed for cash.
A sting operation aimed at closing down several locations has been put on hold, while law enforcement officials continue to look for evidence of wrong-doing that presently does not exist.
Internet Cafe’s and Sweepstakes parlors in Pasco, Hernando, Citrus and other Central Florida counties have been the target of State Attorney’s Office prosecutor Mark Simpson, who wants to close them down. However, Simpson’s first case against a gaming room last December, was thrown out by the judge for lack of evidence.
Those against the Internet Cafe’s and Sweepstakes Parlors claim they want them closed because they are worried about low income and poor people losing their money on alleged gambling, Others believe that attacks against the establishments are a moral crusade to force the beliefs of a few on the majority, who have no objections to the Cafe’s.
Community residents rarely complain about the businesses, located primarily in strip malls. Based on the lack of complaints, more people appear to favor the esatablishments or are indifferent about their presence.
With an abundance of vacant storefronts throughout Hernando County, the Internet Cafe’s are filling space, paying rent and taxes, and hiring employees.
Moral crusaders who claim to be worried about poor people should consider consider the economics of this issue on the already crippled, local economy.
A push for full scale casinos could provide the stimulus the area needs, and serve more than a handful of local law enforcment agencies who could better spend taxpayers money on genuine crime.
Las Vegas was an empty desert before casinos. Now "there are over 200,000 casino related jobs there and the workforce extends far beyond the employees seen on the gaming floor. In each complex, there are not only casinos, but the hotels with their shops and spas, catering outlets, bars and other services."
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Comments
Unfortunately the article fails to mention that these places only employ 2 or 3 workers and does not bring any money into the community. The people that gamble at these establishments are probably the ones who can least afford to gamble and the societal costs will do more damage to these already poor communities. Most people do not know the facts and that is sad. Equating this to Las Vegas is dangerous as Nevada has the highest rate of home foreclosures and one of the highest rates of crime of any state in the U.S. If people were more educated on this subject, they wouldn't be so quick to allow these gambling halls to be opened in thier neighborhood.
Floridian does not seem to understand that theses are not 'gambling halls.' Why do you believe the propaganda? As for the foreclosures - The collapse of the housing market in Florida was NOT caused by internet cafes, or even 'gambling dens.' No one forces anyone to go to these places. And if they were illegal gambling they would already be closed. Get your facts straight - Floridian.
I never said the housing collapse in Flroida was caused by this. You need to learn how to read before commenting. The article equates the number of jobs that Vegas brought in becasue of gambling but fails to mention the problems that city has becasue of gambling. The same will happen here in Florida without a doubt. It will be a den of thieves and crime. I have my facts straight and these are gambling halls make no mistake. Walk into one someday and you will see. Poor rural areas will be seriously affected by these establishments. They are already causing major problems in some areas and that is why some counties are deeming them illegal and shutting them down. It is sad when someone does not know what they are talking about and tries to prove a point. Thank you Resident for showing just how uninformed you are.
@ Floridian - As a matter of fact, I have been to several of these places on more than one occasion. I have also been to Las Vegas, Atlantic City and the Bahamas - and am by no stretch of the imagination a poor compulsive gambler. I'm just tired of lunatics using fear mongering to push their control freak will on the masses. Those casino workers in Vegas make good money. They spend it in the community and create more jobs. It's better than 7 bucks an hour from WalMart. If you don't like it - move.
Dear Floridian i'll bet the folks who use these small parlours are the same ones who buy 90% of the state lottery tickets. They are going to find a way to give their money away no matter what. They probably never had a house to begin with. What type of business do you think your community wants. Probably more churches!
These businesses do bring money into the community in the form of taxes. As a small business owner I looked into opening a business and my husband currently owns one. The county makes it nearly impossible to open a small business of any kind. Judging the rates on rent in this area vs other areas of Florida such as Orlando etc. The rent is about the same however you dont have the people spending money here yet the rents are the same. People are leaving this area in droves because it is so difficult.
i believe this parlors are crooks they pay out absouletly nothing all the people i talk to lose
these machines should be destroyed and burned its not a good idear to lose your social security
if gambleing is illegal in florida why are they open case closed
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