Looking to open an Internet café with sweepstake gaming machines in Kings Mountain? You’ll have to hold off for now.

Mayor Rick Murphrey said city officials have put a six-month moratorium on the machines, preventing new permits from being issued.

Murphrey said a public hearing will take place at the next City Council meeting April 27 to discuss zoning issues for the businesses.

“We’ll be recommending to zone, like we have for the pornographic and video poker machines, so many feet from residences and so many feet from churches,” he said.

Sweepstakes gaming, or video gaming, are legal. A customer can buy a product, such as Internet time and receive a sweepstakes-style bonus. It takes place on machines that simulate games of Texas Hold’em, Keno or other similar titles. The machines do not take legal tender.

“We can do some zoning and we can raise fees,” Murphrey said. “We’re looking at permitting. The signal we’re sending is that we’d rather not have that in our city.”

He said he knows of seven or eight video gaming businesses but doesn’t know how many total there are in the city.

Other issues discussed at this week’s City Council meeting:

- Murphrey honored the Kings Mountain Police Department for their efforts to reduce crime in the city. Murphrey said crime rates have dropped more than 50 percent in the past five years.

“We brought all the Police Department in and were able to present a proclamation for their hard work. “It’s been a team effort.”

- A litter sweep is being done throughout the city from April 17 to May 1.

Boy Scouts and volunteers will be cleaning up areas in the town.

- Council members voted to annex property owned by the city into city limits. The property is north of Grace Street and west of Church Street.

- Murphrey said the city is applying for grants designated for towns that are part of the Main Street program. He said the city has filed an application. Murphrey said the grant money will go toward purchasing or refurbishing small businesses. The maximum amount of the grant is $300,000.

About the Company

Internet Sweepstakes Network provides Internet Sweepstakes Games, Sweepstakes Systems, Servers, and Comprehensive Training as you launch Your Internet Sweepstakes Business!

Contact:
Name : Casey Rooks
Address : PO Box 14159 - Boston, Ma 02108
Phone : 877-946-2233
Website : http://northcarolinainternetcafe.com

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