Hillsborough commissioners vote to ban Internet cafes

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One side called them gambling devices. The other side called them a way to raise funds for charity and a source of employment.

After a lengthy public hearing on whether to ban internet sweepstakes cafes, the Hillsborough County Commission voted 5-2 to ban the sweepstakes cafes after a motion for a moratorium on new cafes failed by 3-4.

The legality of the sweepstakes games is in dispute throughout the state because state law is vague concerning what constitutes a slot machine. Operators of the caf

Peter Schorsch is the President of Extensive Enterprises and is the publisher of some of Florida’s most influential new media websites, including SaintPetersBlog.com, FloridaPolitics.com, ContextFlorida.com, and Sunburn, the morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. SaintPetersBlog has for three years running been ranked by the Washington Post as the best state-based blog in Florida. In addition to his publishing efforts, Peter is a political consultant to several of the state’s largest governmental affairs and public relations firms. Peter lives in St. Petersburg with his wife, Michelle, and their daughter, Ella.