Vacant storefronts may soon have some new tenants now that Euclid City Council has approved zoning changes to allow for Internet sweepstakes cafes.
After a Toledo judge ruled last November that the cafes do not violate Ohio gambling laws, more of the shops have popped up in nearby communities.
To play, customers purchase phone cards that provide game time on terminals. They can then win sweepstakes prizes or more game time.
Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission researched other communities to see how the business fared, and after hosting public hearings, they decided that the cafes could bring money to the city.
“There is a fairly substantial licensing fee, and then they are also required to report their net (profit) to the city’s taxation division,” Zoning Commissioner Paul Beno said.
The ordinance goes into effect 30 days from Monday’s meeting and Beno said he expects to see Euclid Avenue’s vacancies and other areas in Euclid’s commerical district find new purpose.
The city has already received several inquiries from individuals hoping to set up shop, Beno said.
Once the ordinance goes into effect, and businesses open, they will be allowed to operate Sunday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and midnight and Friday and Saturday between 9 a.m. and 1 a.m.
The city will also allow existing businesses such as bars and restaurants to designate some of their space to the machines.
Licensing for those establishments will permit operation until normal closing time, Beno said.
The way the license is written will also allow the city to shut down a cafe if it causes a problem, although Beno said he doesn’t expect that to happen.
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