Unanimous First Vote for Sweepstakes Parlor Ban

Goose Creek City Council has unanimously approved the first reading of a ban on "sweepstakes" parlors. Staff first presented , due to the parlors' similarities to pervasive video poker rooms outlawed in the state more than a decade ago.

There are various business models, but many of these facilities have customers make a purchase or a donation upon entering the parlor, and they're entered in a sweepstakes. The customer has the opportunity to play a game, but operators claim that the eventual prize is predetermined and not impacted by the results of the game. 

The sweepstakes sites have raised alarms among local law enforcement, but court challenges in different parts of the state have resulted in wins on both sides of the issue, complicating the legality.

Still requiring another vote from council, the proposed ordinance in Goose Creek notes that the city considers the sweepstakes machines as illegal gambling devices.

"City Council deems it necessary to the public's health, safety, morals and welfare to prohibit businesses using slot machines or slot machine like equipment or simulated gambling devices," the proposed ordinance states, also suggesting the parlors lower property values and increase criminal activity.

A S.C. Senate Judiciary subcommittee has approved a bill (S.1065) that would close a loophole for raffles and charities that allowed these machines entrance into the Palmetto State, according to bill author Sen. Larry Martin (R-Pickens). There is a similar bill in the House (H.4675).

If it is determined by the legislature or the state court that the parlors are legal, the Goose Creek ordinance would attempt to zone the parlors out of existence — limiting them to light industrial areas and banning any alcohol on the premises. 

The faciliities may face a ban, but the city will have to continue to monitor the issue. There are already two sweepstakes parlors on Red Bank Road, outside of city limits, and another sweepstakes parlor in a strip mall along River Road near Otranto.