Dunedin Agrees: Ban Internet Cafe Game Devices

Dunedin leaders issued unanimous support April 4 for Pinellas County's proposed ban on gaming devices at Internet sweepstakes cafes.

The Internet cafes, which have been popping up in Dunedin and locations throughout the county in recent years, typically offer legitimate services such as Web access or telephone cards, in addition to onsite sweepstakes games.

City Attorney Tom Trask explains:

In general, a player purchases internet access at a point of sale station and receives an account, usually a card or number. The player uses that card or number at a terminal, sets his or her bets and begins to play. The terminal displays a game, such as spinning wheels like those of a slot machine, and then an outcome (a win or loss). When the player is finished playing, the player returns to the point of sale to cash out his or her winnings, if any.

"To the end-user, the impression is that of a slot machine," Trask writes in a memo to city leaders. 

State law, however, opposes gambling on slot machines. But Internet cafe owners are arguing that their system does not technically qualify as a slot machine, thus, undermining authorities' efforts to crack down on operators.

The county's ban would clarify the interpretation. It is a move that supports Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri's efforts in cracking down on the illegal gambling at Internet cafes.

Trask explained that the proposed bill "eliminates almost any argument that the internet cafe games are not slot machines and should make prosecution much easier."

Officials estimate that 20 or more Internet sweepstakes cafes exist throughout Pinellas.

Last year, Pinellas County Sheriff's detectives seized 59 computers for suspected gambling from what was once the Talk-N-Turf Internet cafe at 1075 Main St. The location now houses a , which specializes in consignment and artistic home and gift items.

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