A sign of the times: "sweepstakes" businesses

[01rangerxl]

Has anyone else noticed that the "sweepstakes internet lounge" business seems to be booming in their area? I first noticed these places a couple years ago in AL, which doesn't have any other form of easily accessible gambling; no state lottery or reservation casinos. People used to go to MS to gamble on the boats until the internet sweepstakes scheme was concocted. We do have a state lottery in NC and the Harrah's Cherokee casino on a reservation, but lately I have noticed an explosion in the number of sweepstakes places.

The scheme works by having people pay to use computers for internet access. These computers have gaming software with electronic versions of casino games. When people win, they can redeem their winnings with either cash, prizes, or more internet time. Since people are paying for the internet access and the games are "free," there is just enough separation for it to not be considered gambling by the state. My guess is these places become very attractive for unemployed people with nothing to do who are hoping they might win some money. It's probably a losing proposition for most, but considering I am a few minutes away from at least three of these places, they must be doing good business. Maybe I should open one and call it "Money Pit" or "Money Dump."

Here is an example of one such business I saw advertised in a coupon magazine that comes in the mail here. There was a picture of a happy young couple holding a bunch of cash.
www.theinternetpitstop.com

Such an odd business.

 

[daves87rs]

Don't like the sound of this...

 

[JHZR2]

weird. another tax on the poor most likely, of course, optional just like the lottery.

 

[JasonC]

The person that owns several of them in NC tried last year to open one in Va. The city would not allow it, citing that he didn't have the proper permits. No one else has tried to open one here since.

 

[Rand]

ton around here probably 10-15 within 20min

silver pyramid internet lounge
"games of skill"

 

[Shannow]

We don't need that sort of stuff here, in 1999, my state of 6M people had 10% of the poker machines in the world.

6 pubs within a 5 minute walk, each with 6-10 machines, and a club less than 10 mins walk with probably 60-70 machines...not bad for a town of 12,000 people.

 

[Pablo]

Maybe the are using the net as if they still had jobs...

OK OK, maybe they are using the PC's for a job search.

I've never seen those in our state. We have enough gambling though....native casinos in every direction, variety of lottos, scratch offs, etc....the casinos are just mini versions of Vegas.

 

[GumbyJarvis]

Lol, FWIW I won 2,354.02 exact at one here, here when you play you also have a slot thing in the top corner that is a "Rare second chance" well, never thought anything of it till I was playing "Dragon Emperor" slot game, computer started flashing and going bonkers, and everyone got up, I then had to chose 3 different cards on the touchscreen to see what my winnings were, I won the "Top Prize" of that amount. Apparently everytime someone plays the #1 Jackpot goes up 10cents, the Number 2 goes up 5cents, and number 3 goes up 1 cent, ah well, never won anything after that LOL

 

[dave1251]

Interesting. Hmmmm what work around the law. But no thanks this is not for me. Arizona does not them here there are plenty of tribal casinos around here.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
Lol, FWIW I won 2,354.02 exact at one here, here when you play you also have a slot thing in the top corner that is a "Rare second chance" well, never thought anything of it till I was playing "Dragon Emperor" slot game, computer started flashing and going bonkers, and everyone got up, I then had to chose 3 different cards on the touchscreen to see what my winnings were, I won the "Top Prize" of that amount. Apparently everytime someone plays the #1 Jackpot goes up 10cents, the Number 2 goes up 5cents, and number 3 goes up 1 cent, ah well, never won anything after that LOL

That's a pretty good haul for a computer casino...and yeah, not going to happen again!

 

[xBa380]

I have been working for a company for more than five years, servicing and collecting "Tic Tac Fruit" games and a few other "legal" gambling machines here in Ohio. All games comply to Ohio Law and are legal. But these internet cafe's are a whole different beast. They are a bit more sketchy and debatable with local laws.

I will admit, our machines are MUCH better then any slot machine or casino you will find. Payout rate is 90% on average. Compare that to any state lottery or casino. Most any big-time players I talk to over the years are way ahead on their money! People play our machines to burn time in bars, restaurants, etc... Not a big deal. Last week somebody won for $3600 at one of my places at a corner store. Not shabby.