NEW CARLISLE — City officials asked council members Tuesday to approve another 6-month moratorium on Internet cafes.
Council members passed a 6-month moratorium in February 2011, suspending applications for sweepstakes-based and Internet cafe businesses. They extended it another 6 months in August.
“We don’t want anybody to move into New Carlisle until the state decides what it’s going to do,” City Manager Kim Jones said.
State legislators are considering legislation on Internet cafes.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine on Jan. 6 in Dayton called for more regulation of Internet sweepstakes cafes and is working on House Bill 195 that would require operators go through a certification process, be licensed, and be subject to criminal penalties.
The bill addresses electronic games that look like slot machines which can mislead players and cause confusion for law enforcement, officials said.
Nearby, Springfield commissioners approved an amendment banning the use of the devices at Internet cafes in Springfield, but the measure won’t take effect until October.
“We don’t want to do anything permanent to our (codes), not yet,” Jones said. “We’re hoping for guidance from the state.”
Council is expected to vote on the measure Feb. 6. No Internet cafes currently operate in New Carlisle, Jones said.
Source Article
