Online Gambling Takes New Meaning at Sweepstakes Parlors

At businesses such as Jacks Are Wild, patrons purchase phone or Internet time, and get free credits with each purchase toward video slots that pay out in cash.

Operators of Internet cafes across southwest Florida have found a new version of online gambling that they are promoting as legal. According to an article in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, at businesses such as Jacks Are Wild, patrons purchase phone or Internet time, and get free credits with each purchase toward video slots that pay out in cash.

The entrepreneurs say the operations are within the law, as they are selling the phone cards and the gambling games are offered as perks. Local sheriffs' offices seemed unsure about the nature of the shops, and promised to send undercover officers to investigate.

The crowds are mainly made up of the geriatric bingo bunch. Prizes are not enormous, as one Bradenton location of Jacks Are Wild reported its biggest jackpot since its September opening to be $800. Sweepstakes law requires licensing if the reward is $5000 or more.

Seniors say its a social scene for them. The sweepstakes house provides complimentary meals three times a day, and gives the area's elderly both a gathering place, and mildly exciting, cheap entertainment.

Still, previous parlors in Florida which paid out coupons on penny slots were shut down by the state, and customers at the cafes fear law enforcement may soon end their fun again.

The law regarding sweepstakes in Florida says the games can be considered legal as long as they promote the product, as opposed to being the main attraction. Managers at cafes point to the usage of phone and Internet time purchased; one line of cafes said customers used 1.6 million minutes of purchased phone time in October.

Bill Ellington, a retired career Army officer who has used a cane for walking since being injured in Vietnam, says, "I just want to be able to see my friends, have a cup of coffee, and enjoy playing my game. I didn't spend my life fighting for my country to have my freedom taken away by some sheriif who wants to make headlines."