A Bowling Green Senator wants to clarify Kentucky's stance on internet sweepstakes cafes. The computer based businesses give away chances to win monetary prizes with the purchase of a service or product. Senator Mike Wilson's legislation aims to shut down those trades. "I do not even know that it exists because on the front of the building it says ‘Faxes and Copies,’ and you can get copies there, but they'll only give you three,” Wilson said. “That's not what they are there for and it says ‘No One Under 21 Admitted’ and there's a little kind of sign to the side that says 'Better than Bingo."
Wilson says some civic organizations argue that the internet cafes are impacting their charitable gambling activities. He says six internet sweepstakes cafes are located in Bowling Green.
Briana Carrol is with the Kentucky League of Cities. She testified in support of legislation that would prohibit such activity. "Kentucky cities and their police departments are left with the burden of trying to regulate internet sweepstakes cafes prior to their opening,” said Carrol. “Again, this proves to be a difficult task when these businesses appear to present valid business purposes such as sales of phone usage and internet usage."
Carrol says there are internet sweepstakes cafes found in Bowling Green, Paducah, and northern Kentucky.
The majority floor leader of the Kentucky Senate wants to ensure legislation prohibiting internet sweepstakes cafes doesn't impede historical racing betting. A senate committee passed such a measure this week. Scott County Senator Damon Thayer offered some reservations prior to the vote. "And I want to make sure that we don't do anything to accidentally eliminate historical racing, which has been very good for the racing industry," explained Thayer.
Historical racing or 'instant racing' is an electronic form of gambling which allows players to bet on replays of horse races. After consulting with legal staff, Thayer cast a committee vote in favor of the bill to clarify Kentucky law on internet sweepstakes cafés.
A representative from K-Internet Cafe in Bowling Green says their business has about 100 computers. She says the cafe features sweepstakes games and contends it is not gambling. ?
