Politics & Government

Mauldin Declares Moratorium On Electronic Gaming

Mauldin city council unanimously votes to prevent any future businesses from conducting electronic gaming.

The city of Mauldin unanimously approved on second reading an ordinance Monday that placed a 180-day moratorium on any future electronic gaming in the city. 

The decision comes in light of multiple stories regarding a renewed interest in electronic gaming at small businesses. "Internet sweepstakes" games circumvent state gambling law by providing no actual cash payout. Instead, Internet usage, business services, coffee, phone cards, coupons and other various prizes can be won. 

"Obviously our thought process here was to deal with this in a way that doesn't put any kind of liability issue on Mauldin," said Mayor Dennis Raines. "That means we just stop it where it is right now, and give the judicial system time to decide the legality of electronic gaming. We don't want to be the judge and the jury here." 

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Raines said there are currently three sweepstakes businesses within the Mauldin city limits, and the most recent addition - a site on Woodruff Road that boasts 30 gaming units - gave council reason for pause. 

The legality of such machines has been questioned and debated from the Upstate to the South Carolina coast, as a and an so far in 2012. 

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Just last week, the Greenville County Sheriff's Office on a multiple businesses operating such games that were allegedly providing cash payouts instead of goods and services. 

Raines said that if council is still concerned about the questions over electronic gaming's legality after the 180-day moratorium, it can always place a new one on gaming after the first one expires. 


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