Title
Ordinance to Impose a Temporary Moratorium on New Electronic Gaming Operations in the City of Greensboro
Body
Department: Executive
Council District: 3
Public Hearing: Yes
Advertising Date/By: October 24, 2014
Contact 1 and Phone: Tom Carruthers, City Attorney 373-2320
Contact 2 and Phone: Sue Schwartz, Director of Planning, 373-2149
PURPOSE:
To impose a 30 day moratorium on issuing new privilege licenses to businesses that have electronic gaming operations, also known as sweepstakes businesses, or internet cafes, or electronic sweepstakes operations.
BACKGROUND:
The Office of the District Attorney of Guilford County recently announced that it would not prosecute businesses for running pre-reveal electronic gaming operations. This area of law is unsettled at the state level. The City of Greensboro anticipates a proliferation of sweepstakes gaming operations in the future and the City wants to study and make recommendations about zoning requirements for such businesses. This public hearing was properly noticed in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes Section 160A-381 for a meeting of the Council on Monday, November 3, 2014. The notice of hearing was published in the Carolina Peacemaker and the Greensboro News & Record as required for moratoriums less than 60 days in length, in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes Section 160A-381(e).
BUDGET IMPACT:
As with previous practice, the Collections Division will charge existing sweepstakes businesses $2500 for the privilege license and $500 per machine, per City Code ?13-119. The Collections Division charges a $50 fee for new businesses operating in their first year, per City Code ?13-037(b). This action will delay the issuance of any new business licenses for 30 days for those businesses desiring to open an electronic gaming operation.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
It is recommended that City Council impose this moratorium so that City s...
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