Busts surprise customers, clerks

Credit: Jennifer Frew | The News Herald

A sign advertising sweepstakes points to a Drexel business, Pearson's Hobby Shop on U.S. 70.

By: Julie n. Chang , Sharon McBrayer | Morganton News Herald
Published: March 14, 2010

MORGANTON --

Customers at internet parlors visited Friday by Burke County law-enforcement officers were surprised and, in some cases, annoyed by the interruption.
Several said they believed the businesses are legal, because so many similar operations have sprung up around the county.
Some acknowledged they were gambling, but considered it harmless.
Whether they believe the activity is legal or not, few agreed to give their names to reporters.
One who did is Gene Pearson, who said he didn't play the machines, but watched his friends play. He said it's just a way to pass the time. And he doesn't see anything wrong with the machines.
"I think they ought to leave them alone," Pearson said. "They're not hurting anybody."
Sheriff's officers and police from Drexel, Glen Alpine, Morganton and Valdese visited 56 businesses on Friday and pulled the plugs on 262 machines. They didn't arrest anyone, but they gave the owners a March 26 deadline to get rid of what the law enforcers believe are gambling devices.
They surprised a clerk at Brendletown Grocery & Grill who would not give his name because he said he was not authorized to speak for the business. He said no one told him the machines were illegal.
"If it's illegal, then you have to follow the law," the clerk said.
At Pearson's Hobby Shop, 1485 U.S. 70 in Drexel, two customers from McDowell County said the internet parlors and similar gaming operations are "literally everywhere" in Burke County. Both said they assumed the games are legal because they hadn't been shut down.
"They are shutting them down, so I guess it's illegal," said the man, who wouldn't give his name.
Although the pair repeatedly said they played the games just for fun, the woman said, "You hit jackpots; that's what you come for."
The man said he was at Pearson's on Friday afternoon because he didn't have time to make the drive to a Cherokee casino before coming back for work Saturday morning.
"If there's gambling, I'm doing it," he said. "I gamble every day."
He added, "I think we're old enough to make our own decisions."
Law-enforcement officers say it's not entirely clear whether the internet gaming parlors, "business service centers" and internet sweepstakes cafes and their machines are illegal.
A court ruling may be necessary to resolve the question of whether the businesses are running illegal gambling operations or providing illegal gambling machines.
"Gambling" is loosely defined as gaming that includes a "consideration" (usually some payment to play), "chance" (the outcome is random; skill alone cannot affect the odds of winning) and a prize.
Offering to rent time on a computer and the Internet are legitimate business services. Generally, so is selling time to play arcade-style video games (North Carolina and a number of other states specifically prohibit video-poker machines).
Some internet sweepstakes operations give customers a certain number of free tickets (eliminating "consideration"), but allow people to buy more.
Various legal rulings define prizes. Winning more playing time usually is not considered a gambling prize. If playing a game requires consideration and luck, adding cash prizes generally makes it gambling.
Managing editor Steve Welker contributed to this report.

Busts surprise customers, clerks

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