Sweepstakes stores popping up everywhere?

Gmachine

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2005
So has anyone else noticed the internet sweepstakes places popping up everywhere?

I was in Wilmington over the weekend and they were everywhere. I told my wife they had to be some sort of gambling establishment by the way they looked. Sure enough I was right! I guess there's a loophole in the NC law and they are getting away with it for now since it's server based and they don't have actual slot machines. You just pay for internet time. The thing is they give you cash! I give it a few months and they'll be closed.
 
Yeah, I've noticed a few around here northwest of Greensboro. They had an article in the newspaper, pretty much exactly what you said, loophole based on a common server. I guess in some jurisdictions they're getting busted because its a grey area, or the cops dont understand the loophole.
 
It's just sad that they don't advertise it as it is, a gambling site. I just couldn't understand who would open a store front that looked so sketch for sweepstakes?? I couldn't imagine people were flocking to get sale papers at that rate!
 
Wilmington/New Hanover County has placed a moratorium on any new establishments until they figure out how to tax and control them. I've heard numbers ranging from $500 a year per machine, to $5,000 per machine.
 
the last I heard Wayne county was going to hit them with 4500 dollars per machine. Very seedy lookin places.
 
maulcruiser, I saw a red Taco at a station we drove past. I assume that was yours? If it wouldn't have been our anniversary and a 5 hour drive, I'd have brought my jeep and stopped in to see ya!

I've seen these places around here, but they were on every other corner in Wilmington/Carolina Beach
 
Gmachine said:
maulcruiser, I saw a red Taco at a station we drove past. I assume that was yours? If it wouldn't have been our anniversary and a 5 hour drive, I'd have brought my jeep and stopped in to see ya!
I've seen these places around here, but they were on every other corner in Wilmington/Carolina Beach
Click to expand...

If you passed that station on Oleander Drive, then that was me!
 
That was it! I remember you saying that the station was new. I guess you're staying in the area and not making a move.
 
I was talking to the bartender at a local bar here that has 2 machines in it and he told me that the machine would pay you out as a phone card, you have the option to use the card or cash it in. I'm not sure about the sweepstakes houses though.
 
City council just passed the vote last night. $1500 per machine every six months. For businesses that are closed between 11 PM and 8 AM, it will be $1000 every six months.
 
I just couldnt figure out how the cops busted all the old machines and these new ''sweepstakes'' machines started popping up everywhere.

From what I understand, the store owners make a pretty penny off of them, as well as the machine companies.

I always stop at the same store, near the house, and see the same folks just sitting there all the time. I'm sure they are blowing alot of money, but everyonce in a while, one of them will win a couple hundred bucks and then turn around and spend it right back in a machine. I like to play cards with real people though!
 
I've got some extened family that owns one in Asheboro..they've got problems, but money ain't one of them. Same as the people you see buying a fist full of lottery tickets is who they say their customers are. A fool and his money will soon part.
 
I'm pretty sure there's a "sweepstakes" place in the business park I work in. They have no business name on their door and people come late at night and they have to knock on the door to get in. When my mom first started noticing she thought they were shooting porn.
 
Back
Top