Seminole Internet cafes close — for now
Seminole County’s nine Internet cafes, which have been locked in a court battle with the county over computer games that simulate gambling, have voluntarily closed, at least for a while.
Signs posted within the past few days on the cafes say the closings are temporary so that owners have time to update their computers.
The move came about a month after the county tightened its regulations for Internet cafes, also known as strip-shopping center casinos or sweepstakes cafes.
“Sorry for the inconvenience,” a sign at the Allied Internet Center on State Road 436 at Hunt Club Boulevard near Apopka read. “We’re updating our software and will reopen soon.”
Orlando attorney Lawrence Walters, whorepresents several of theInternet cafes, wouldnotcomment.
Sheriff’s officials confirmed that all nine cafes had closed but said they did not know whehter the closings were a temporary move by the cafe owners as they battle a federal lawsuit challenging the county’s ban on the establishments.
“If these locations are truly closed, our goal for them to cease operations in Seminole County would appear to be accomplished,” said Heather Smith, a sheriff’s spokeswoman.
Despite Seminole’s ban, the Sheriff’s Office has only issued warnings to the cafe owners. No fines have ever been paid, and the Sheriff’s Office has not referred any cases to a special magistrate the county hired last year to hear code-enforcement cases.
Two years ago, Internet cafe
owners filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the constitutionality of the county’s 2011 ban on the simulated gambling games.
The cafe owners say the games are sweepstakes protected by the First Amendment.
But county officials say the games are a form of illegal gambling.
At a typical Internet cafe, customers are given a plastic “debit” card or password after buying Internet time. The card or the password can then be used at any of the cafe’s computers to access the Internet.
Each card or password also is linked to a number of sweepstakes entries, and customers can find out if they have won money or prizes by clicking on a computer icon or playing a video game that simulates a gambling device commonly found in casinos, such as a slot machine, poker table or roulette wheel.
Seminole’s ordinance, which originally banned the use of the debit cards, was amended last month to include passwords.
OnMonday, attorneys for the cafe owners asked the federal court to dismiss the original lawsuit so that they can file a new one based on the county’s revised regulations.
Meanwhile, Internet cafe customers in Seminole County will have to wait to play their games.
A handwritten note posted on the front door of Jack’s or Better, an Internet cafe in Casselberry, promised that it would reopen soon.
“The county and Sheriff have determined they know better than you as to how to spend your money,” the sign said. “We will be back. Don’t give up yet.”