It has became clear recently that there will be a significant change in the rules and regulations, concerning the video-gambling cafes in Preoria but the upcoming change might not be accepted enthusiastically by the owners of the local venues.
During a meeting, set for tonight, the members of the City Council will discuss the restrictions, imposed to the video-gambling cafes.
For the time being, there are five terminals, the maximum number of venues of this type, allowed by the state authorities. However, these cafes don’t offer an abundant choice of foods and beverages.
The new rules and regulations are intended to establish new restrictions to the venues, which have been issued an operating license. Those sites that are free to offer the visitors food and alcoholic beverages shall not be allowed to provide video gambling services unless the amount of their turnover was higher than $1, 500 on average during the last 12 months. The income should have been formed by selling food, drinks or goods.
Eric Turner, a Councilman, commented that the regulations might be further refined in the foreseeable future but for now, there is nothing more the local authorities can do. Yet, he considered the current changes to be a bright start.
A final decision will be made at the end of the month. Meanwhile, the authorities have decided to propose a moratorium on new cafes.
Eric Turner also added that the legal department and the police are responsible for the alterations of the law. The minimum amount the venues are required to have in order to be allowed to provide video-gambling activities hasn’t been set at random as well. Actually, that’s the lowest revenue, reported by owners of sites that sell alcohol in the state.
Sonni Williams said that the top priority of the regulators was to set an achievable minimum although Beth Akeson, a Councilwoman of Pretoria, considers this minimum to be too achievable.
Initially, Akeson supported the idea for establishing sensible restrictions to the owners of cafes where video-gambling activities are available. However, she changed her mind once she got acquainted with the income requirements.
Emma’s Eatery is the only operating video-gambling cafe in the area, which offers a wide variety of fast food and beverages while the other venues, where video-gambling services are available, don’t offer any other food apart from snacks.
The manager of Emma’s Eatery said that the future restrictions are not something he is afraid of. He believes that they won’t have a negative impact on his business provided that his site is the only available in Preoria.
The state authorities have put forward different suggestions, concerning the location of Emma’s Eatery. The owner of the venue said that he was glad with the current turnover but admittedly, the location of the video-gambling cafe plays an important role in its successful promoting. That’s why if the proposal passes, there is a possibility for Emma’s Eatery to have its location changed. It all depends on the decision of the Council.
