Video slot machines seized from sweepstakes cafe in city
By John Joyce
Published in News on September 16, 2014 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/ETHAN SMITH
The front door of Goldsboro Internet World is seen early today. Authorities shut down the sweepstakes parlor on Monday after lawmen discovered four illegal slot machines inside the business on North Berkeley Boulevard.
The doors are shut and the license has been pulled from a local Internet sweepstakes cafe after an investigation conducted by the Goldsboro Police Department.
Cedric Lee Britt, 77, owner of Internet World, 1811 N. Berkeley Blvd., was charged with operating an illegal gaming machine after investigators discovered and seized four illegal slot machines inside the business.
The charge is a misdemeanor. Had there been five machines involved the charge would have been a felony.
A series of complaints from concerned citizens tipped police off to the illegal activity.
"We sent some people in at different times and found the slots were there," Maj. Al King said.
"You actually put money in and get a cash reward," he said.
King said sweepstakes cafes in Goldsboro are inspected from time to time and each of the owners is aware that police are watching.
"We will be doing more of them," King said.
Internet sweepstakes cafes in North Carolina have been at the center of controversy for many years, but a State Supreme Court ruling banning the games has a loophole that allows the businesses to operate under strict guidelines.
Customers can purchase Internet time at these locations and use the time to play games that offer winnings as long as they have a pre-reveal, meaning the player knows whether he or she has won at the outset so there is no chance involved.
Slot machines and poker-style machines, however, have never been permitted by law.