Why Did Ohio Just Ban Internet Cafes?
The murky nature of Internet cafes has led to their ban in the Buckeye State
From the Sunshine State to the Golden State , U.S. lawmakers are cracking down on Internet cafes, which in some cases straddle the line between legitimate businesses and illegal gambling dens. On Wednesday, the Buckeye State became the latest to tackle the issue when the Ohio Senate voted to ban Internet cafes in a bipartisan vote of 27-6.
But the vocal minority favors regulation over a sweeping ban. "Today it is my privilege to give the eulogy for the 6,000 to 8,000 people that will be put out of work by the adoption of this measure," Ohio State Sen. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) said shortly before Ohio lawmakers voted to pass House Bill 7, which would ban Internet cafes in Ohio once the state's governor signs it into law. "The biggest flaw in this bill is that it takes the approach 'Shoot 'em all and let God sort it out,'" Seitz said before casting a no vote in last Wednesday’s tally.
Internet cafes, which offer public Internet access by selling Internet time or phone cards, have survived as “cafes” simply because they often sell food and drinks in addition to Internet access. However, most Internet cafe business models are not wholly centered on the exchange of Internet services: For their patronage, Internet cafes usually offer customers legal online “sweepstakes,” such as computer games that offer free chances to win cash. The problem is, the “sweepstakes” video games often resemble real slot machines; when this occurs, the business of running an Internet cafe suddenly looks a lot like a legal loophole for online ga
Internet cafes, which offer public Internet access by selling Internet time or phone cards, have survived as “cafes” simply because they often sell food and drinks in addition to Internet access. However, most Internet cafe business models are not wholly centered on the exchange of Internet services: For their patronage, Internet cafes usually offer customers legal online “sweepstakes,” such as computer games that offer free chances to win cash. The problem is, the “sweepstakes” video games often resemble real slot machines; when this occurs, the business of running an Internet cafe suddenly looks a lot like a legal loophole for online ga
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