Internet Gaming Cafes May Be Up Sooner Than You Think

After Twinsburg City Council lifted a moratorium that prevented Internet gaming cafes from opening in the city in January, it is likely one will be opening soon.

“I’m certain we’re going to get an Internet cafe in the next couple of months,” Director of Community Planning and Development Larry Finch said.

Finch said that since the moratorium was lifted Jan. 11, he’s had 12 parties express interest in opening a gaming cafe.  No one has filed an official application yet, but he believes it will happen very soon.

Twinsburg instituted the moratorium when an ordinance regulating Internet gaming cafes in Summit County was challenged as unconstitutional. When a Summit County common pleas judge ruled in favor of the regulations in January, City Council voted unanimously to lift the restriction.

“We don’t have any experience with them operating so we’re going to see how they do and if there are any issues that arise, if there are any problems or crimes or anything like that,” Finch said.

In the mandated guidelines provided by the city, similar to those of the county, the Internet cafes must be at least 500 feet away from any school, public library, public playground, church, religious institution or any place permitted to sell liquor.  The cafes themselves are not allowed to sell alcohol.

The city also requires a $5,000 annual license fee to be paid with the application and it may only operate between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 p.m.

“The idea is if we permit something, that it is going to be operated strictly on the up and up,” Finch said.

The city may also revoke the license if it believes there is a violation of city or state laws.

“We’re going to basically see if they’re following the procedure that keeps them from being a gambling institution,” Finch said. “We’ll just have to see how it goes.”