Video gaming machines drawing new scrutiny - The Daily Advance

You may have noticed devices similar to banned video poker machines are back in a number of convenience stores around the area.

Law enforcement officials have noticed as well.

And next month, they’ll be meeting with representatives of the District Attorney’s Office to discuss video gaming laws and whether these new machines comply with current state law.

The meeting, scheduled for Jan. 17 at the Pasquotank Public Safety Building, will include area sheriffs, other local law enforcement officers, and representatives of the State Bureau of Investigation and N.C. Division of Alcohol Law Enforcement.

A series of state court decisions on video gaming earlier this decade — including so-called Internet sweepstakes and gift surplus machines — has led to uncertainty for both gaming operators and some law enforcement officials. A desire for more clarity about laws many consider confusing has prompted the area-wide approach.

Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten said the Jan. 17 meeting, which will be led by District Attorney Andrew Womble, is designed to get everyone on the same page about video gaming laws.

“We’re going to figure out what machines are legal are illegal and then figure out how to deal with the problem — if there is a problem,” Wooten said.

Wooten said the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office has already agreed to dedicate two people to an area video gaming task force.

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