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Queen Votes to Ban Sweepstakes Gambling
June 22, 2010
Senator Joe Sam Queen voted Monday night for legislation to ban sweepstakes gaming. The bill makes clear that the ban on video poker machines that became law four years ago includes so-called sweepstakes cafes appearing in strip malls across the state. They have been operating within a legal loophole and this legislation closes it.
Earlier this year, a 61-year-old Madison County grandmother was arrested for robbing the Wachovia bank in Marshall after she ran up debts at sweepstakes cafes. She told authorities she felt robbery was her only recourse.
Senator Queen said, "Let me be clear, I will do everything I can to support legitimate businesses. However, sweepstakes cafes are nothing more than casinos operating outside the law. We outlawed video poker and that's all this is, but worse.
These places are popping up overnight and taking and people are losing their life savings. I stand firmly with the sheriffs and police chiefs across the state have asked for us to tighten the law because an increase in crime comes along with them."
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