Paul Stam

The NC Senate overwhelmingly passed House Bill 80, “Ban Electronic Sweepstakes” on Monday night by a margin of 47 to 1.  The House is expected to take up the measure in the near future.

HB 80 would prohibit electronic machines and other devices used for sweepstakes activities in the state.  The bill makes it “unlawful for any person to own, lease, or have possession of and place into operation an electronic machine or device to conduct a sweepstakes or to engage in any process or activity associated with a sweepstakes.”  The bill exempts video games that do not provide prizes and the traditional sweepstakes games conducted by retail merchants such as MacDonald’s.

The General Assembly outlawed video poker in 2006, but an estimated 600 so-called “sweepstakes cafes or parlors” have been established all across North Carolina in the past year or so in an attempt to circumvent the ban on this gambling activity.  Individual sweepstakes machines have also been located in various retail, restaurant and bar locations in the state.

HB 80 is strongly supported by the NC Sheriff’s Association, the Family Policy Council, and the NC league of Municipalities and the Christian Action League.

“This practice preys upon the poor, those who don’t know the odds, and those who don’t appreciate arithmetic,” said House Republican Leader Paul Stam (R-Wake).  “It is an unfair trade practice on its face.”