HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-08-01 NPB considers adult arcade ban (WPTV) Page 1 of 2
North Palm Beach considers - -
adult arcade ban
New applications banned if proposal is Click Here .,
approved
Posted: 08/01/2011
Last Updated: 15 hours and 27 minutes ago
A
• ML By: Mike Trim advertisement
NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Village of North Palm Beach is considering a one year ban on new adult arcade and internet
cafe applications.
"Not everybody's on the same page as to what these places (are) and whether or not they are desirable or not desirable or
whether they attract the appropriate type of clientele for where their site is," said North Palm Beach village manager James
Titcomb.
An example of an adult arcade is Johnny's Rec room in Pompano Beach.
On Monday afternoon, Rita, who chose not to give her last name, played her favorite video amusement game, which resembles
a video slot machine but doesn't offer a cash prize.
"I come here 3 days a week and it's my entire social life," said Rita.
But as NewsChannel Five reported in July, some adult arcades operate unchecked by offering cash prizes without state
oversight.
Florida Arcade Association compliance director Michael Wolfe calls them sweepstakes rooms.
Wolf agrees with North Palm Beach, saying sweepstakes rooms need to be strictly regulated.
"We're on the same page with them. We don't want illegal gambling any more than they do,"said Wolf
Wolf doesn't agree with North Palm Beach grouping sweepstakes rooms in with arcades like Johnny's Rec Room.
Arcades like Johnny's Rec Room are allowed under a state statute because prizes come in the form of merchandise cards
rather than cash.
There aren't any adult arcades or internet cafes in North Palm Beach.
Titcomb says there's one application which is now put on hold.
North Palm Beach Village council still has to vote to officially approve the one year ban at a future council meeting.
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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