PALM BEACH, Fla., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Palm Beach County, Fla., approved a temporary ban on new internet gaming cafes Friday as a part of a general crackdown, authorities say.
Also known as sweepstakes cafes, the casino-style attractions offer cash payouts, which authorities worry could become a problem. About 1,000 of the businesses have spread statewide.
County Commissioner Karen Marcus was among those who pushed for the ban.
"They're totally unregulated [and] they are just kind of popping up everywhere," she told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
The ban in Palm Beach County is expected to grow into a yearlong moratorium while lawmakers develop restrictions on the establishments. Delray Beach has proposed a similar ban, while North Palm Beach has a moratorium. Polk and Jackson counties have shut down cafes.
New gaming regulations would include inspections to assure games are being operated fairly.
Andrew Ruel, owner of the Vegas Cafe and Lucky 7's Cafe, calls the moratorium "ridiculous"
"We are literally no different than an arcade," he tells the Sun Sentinel. "This isn't going to make gamblers out of people who don't do it already ... it's already out there."
