Tarpon Moves To Halt New Internet Cafes

Tarpon Springs may impose a six-month ban on new Internet sweepstakes cafes, as the county and state decide their future.

The Tampa Bay Times is reporting that Tarpon City Attorney Jim Yacavone is asking for the moratrium, which the city commission said it would support.

Yacavone told the city commission at a meeting Tuesday that he would draft an ordinance that he would bring back before city leaders for a vote.

Tarpon Springs approved an Internet cafe in Feburary; the cafe has computerized gambling games.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, the Pinellas County Commission sent a letter to Tarpon officials asking for their support in a countywide ban.

"Pinellas County's position is that the operation of these businesses is inconsistent with current law," the letter reads.

It's unclear from the letter who would enforce the countywide ban or defend lawsuits that could result from it.