Chesapeake looks into concerns about online gambling

CHESAPEAKE

When a man dressed in jeans and a polo shirt walked into the strip-mall business on a Thursday morning, an employee looked him over. The visitor wasn't a regular customer.

It was City Council member C.E. "Cliff" Hayes Jr. He wanted to get a first-hand look at what has some people in Chesapeake concerned.

The storefront between Food Lion and Subway at Edmunds Corner bills itself as an Internet cafe. According to its business license, the store "retails sales for Internet gaming."

Some city officials worry the businesses might be havens for online gambling.

According to city records, there was one such business in Chesapeake last year. Now there are five, mostly in the South Norfolk area, and another is expected to open in October.

When Hayes walked in, he saw rows of computers with screen savers touting Texas Hold ' Em, Mr. Money Maker and slots games. Hayes described the attendant as "belligerent" when he asked basic questions about the operation: "What are your hours?" "What time do you close?"

" 'When the last person leaves,' " Hayes said the attendant told him.

Public complaints have prompted the City Council to ask the Planning Commission to consider stricter zoning codes. The city's commonwealth's attorney is also investigating the issue, said City Attorney Ron Hallman.

Virginia Beach's commonwealth's attorney is investigating similar businesses there, city spokesman Marc Davis said.

"It's interesting," Hayes said, "that they're providing this 'wholesome' service to the community, Internet cafe.

"T hen why is it that you have to be 18 to enter?" Hayes asked, noting the sign on the door of one business. "Any of our citizens can go into any library and use the Internet for free."

North Carolina's General Assembly voted to ban all so-called sweepstakes businesses last month. The law will take effect Dec. 1.

Kenny Martin, the vice president of the Greater South Norfolk Business Consortium, said the businesses are sending the wrong message.

"We do not want that here, especially when we're trying to revitalize our community."

Hayes said the sweepstakes businesses tend to sprout in lower income communities where people are more likely to bring in $5, hoping to come out with $500.

"It's a vicious cycle, and, overall, it's not helping the improvement of that community," the councilman said.

Two of the owners of the Chesapeake sweepstakes establishments have North Carolina addresses.

None of the owners could be reached by telephone for this story because of disconnected numbers, unreturned calls, or no company phone listing.

A 24-hour Bainbridge Boulevard location was busy Thursday evening with about a dozen customers.

At another store, on the corner of 22nd and Liberty streets, a sign outside said it would be open from 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. Inside the dimly lit room, the air was stale with smoke as a few people sat at computers.

The attendant said the customers were checking their e-mail.

Marjon Rostami, (757) 222-5207, marjon.rostami@pilotonline.com