Taunton City Councilors are raising questions about slot machines are popping up
Apr 01, 2016
Temporary slot machines showing up in convenience stores around Taunton, has city councilor Don Cleary uneasy.
"I am not comfortable with them just appearing," says Cleary.
The machines are made by Nutel Communications. In a 2010 video, the company explains to the Cape Cod Times how the slot works. The customer can either put money into the machine, which prints a phone-card access number that can then be used to play.
Or, they can press the "free play" button, which prints a request slip to be filled out and given to the store attendant in exchange for a voucher card to play the machine. Cleary says, recently 5 establishments in Taunton were given a license by the city's licensing board to have these machines. Store 44 is one of them.
"I am not comfortable with them just appearing," says Cleary.
The machines are made by Nutel Communications. In a 2010 video, the company explains to the Cape Cod Times how the slot works. The customer can either put money into the machine, which prints a phone-card access number that can then be used to play.
Or, they can press the "free play" button, which prints a request slip to be filled out and given to the store attendant in exchange for a voucher card to play the machine. Cleary says, recently 5 establishments in Taunton were given a license by the city's licensing board to have these machines. Store 44 is one of them.
"The state of Massachusetts has a law against gambling. So, this scheme that they have actually circumvents the law," adds Cleary.
The Councilman feels this is an issue that should be in the hands of the city council and that there should be an ordinance to regulate these machines. We reached out to the store 44 about the machines, but they declined comment. However, folks from Taunton gave their opinions.
"I don't think they should really be having them, you know it's a trigger for more gambling. And I mean it's not really necessary, you know they have casinos in the area," says one Taunton resident.
"It attracts a lot of people so I think that is what they are trying to do. Is keep people in the stores wanting to buy," says another.
The Councilman feels this is an issue that should be in the hands of the city council and that there should be an ordinance to regulate these machines. We reached out to the store 44 about the machines, but they declined comment. However, folks from Taunton gave their opinions.
"I don't think they should really be having them, you know it's a trigger for more gambling. And I mean it's not really necessary, you know they have casinos in the area," says one Taunton resident.
"It attracts a lot of people so I think that is what they are trying to do. Is keep people in the stores wanting to buy," says another.
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