Ever Expanding Gambling!

Watch the unfolding Race to the Bottom!

As governments become more addicted to supporting addiction instead of sound fiscal policy, responsible controls are removed.

Expanded hours?

Next year, will this business return and seek 24/7/365 hours?

That's what Twin Rivers accomplished in bankruptcy court.

That's what Beacon Hill handed to the Gambling Industry.

Gaming firm seeks longer operating hours
A local Internet sweepstakes business is asking Martinsville City Council to extend the hours that such businesses are allowed to be open.

Matt Durand, a part owner of Turn 2 Net on Lavinder Street, presented the council on Tuesday with a petition signed by approximately 125 customers, asking that sweepstakes businesses be allowed to operate for longer hours than permitted.

Currently, the businesses can operate between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Durand said he would prefer to operate from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

Council members did not discuss whether they will consider extending the hours. After the council meeting, Mayor Kim Adkins said she will discuss the matter with other council members and find out how they want to proceed.

“We will take it (the request) under advisement,” she said.

Zoning ordinance amendments enacted by the council in November enabled Internet sweepstakes businesses already in the city to stay open but prohibit new ones from opening. Those now open must abide by rules imposed by the council, including the limitation on hours.

According to city officials, the businesses are controversial because of the gambling aspect of sweepstakes games.

North Carolina banned the businesses effective Dec. 1. Martinsville enacted the ordinance amendments out of concern that businesses in that state may move to the city.

“Let’s make some sort of compromise” on the hours, Durand told the council Tuesday.

Durand, who lives in Wilmington, N.C., but grew up in Martinsville, said Turn 2 Net is losing customers and had to lay off four employees because of the restrictions on hours. He said many customers who get off work late in the afternoon have a hard time getting to the business by 7 p.m.

That closing time, he said, seemed to be “picked out of the air.”

Durand said city parks are open until 11 p.m. and “we have a much more secure facility” than any of the parks, with staff on premises to oversee operations and make sure the businesses run smoothly.

He also said other city businesses stay open later than 7 p.m.

City Attorney Eric Monday said state officials continue to examine whether Internet sweepstakes businesses are legal in Virginia and he anticipates the General Assembly will look at the issue after it reconvenes in January.

If lawmakers allow the businesses to continue operating, any rules they set for the businesses would supercede the city’s rules, Monday said.