Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Video Sweepstakes

ENFORCEMENT SHALL BEGIN IN LEE COUNTY ON JAN 3RD, 2013

The state Supreme Court today upheld the state’s ban on video sweepstakes machines, overturning the state Appeals Court rulings that said regulating the games violated the Constitutional right to free speech.

In its opinion, the court said the sweepstake companies “have attempted to ‘skillfully disguise’ conduct with a facade of speech to gain First Amendment protection for their conduct.”

Senate leader Phil Berger said he expects law enforcement to start shutting down sweepstakes parlors. “I’m pleased every member of the Supreme Court chose to uphold the law the General Assembly passed overwhelmingly with bipartisan support,” Berger said in a statement. “Now that the question is settled, I expect our law enforcement officials will begin enforcing the law.”

ENFORCEMENT SHALL BEGIN IN LEE COUNTY ON JAN 3RD, 2013

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