Gentile Joins Fight Against Illegal Sweepstakes Cafes

Councilman Vincent Gentile joined in on the condemnation of so called “Internet Sweepstakes Cafes,” which are shady parlors that prey on low-income communities. In a press release, Gentile expressed his support of a new law that places tougher restrictions on any gaming cafe or arcade that illegally offers cash prizes.

Our sister site, Sheepshead Bites, previously covered the issue of illegal gaming cafes that market themselves as internet cafes but promote sweepstakes and other prizes in their establishments. These cafes take advantage of legal loopholes by offering cash prizes or awards for certain activities for playing online games. The new bill, which passed by a 49-0 vote in the Council, requires the Department of Consumer Affairs to revoke the license of any gaming cafe or arcade that offers cash as a prize.

“If it looks like a casino and walks like a casino, then it’s probably a casino,” Gentile said in the release. “This bill gives law enforcement the tools they need when they find illegal gambling to shut it down.”

The NYPD has already shut down nine illegal internet cafes since November, according to a New York Post report.