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Internet sweepstakes next video gambling battleground

Monday, July 18, 2005 | 9:50 a.m.

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Internet sweepstakes terminals in York County businesses are posing a new problem for authorities in the state's battle against the video gaming industry.

The State Law Enforcement Division recently seized several sweepstakes terminals and other equipment from three York County businesses, the first such seizures in South Carolina.

The terminals, which are computers connected to the Internet, are not illegal. But SLED says state gambling laws were violated because agents paid to play the games; the terminals offered a game of chance; and the agents received cash prizes or reimbursements to their debit cards.

An attorney for the Internet sweepstakes company said the games are legal because a payment isn't required to play. That makes the game a sweepstakes instead of a lottery, and sweepstakes are legal, said Columbia attorney Jim Griffin.

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