The move to ban Internet cafés, which law enforcement officials say are just storefront casinos, will be front and center Thursday as the House votes on a measure banning the types of machines used in the facilities.
The bill (HB 155), clarifying that certain gaming devices used in the cafés are illegal, is the first measure on the calendar for a vote on Thursday on the House floor.
The bill still needs Senate approval, but is also on a fast track there.
The ban effort comes amid an investigation by state, federal and local law enforcement into the activities of the industry, that led to the arrests of several officials from a purported veterans charity that ran cafés. The investigation also led to the resignation of former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll who once did work for that café operator, Allied Veterans of the World.
