No new electronic sweepstakes establishments will be allowed in Hickory during a moratorium approved Tuesday night by the Hickory City Council.
The moratorium will not affect existing gaming establishments.
The moratorium be in force until the new state law prohibiting electronic gaming goes into effect on Dec. 1.
Litigation challenging the state law has been initiated.
If the state wins, all electronic gaming establishments — also called Internet cafes and electronic sweepstakes parlors — will be prohibited.
If the challenge is upheld or the statewide ban is delayed, Hickory plans to have an ordinance in place to regulate electronic gaming.
No one spoke for or against electronic sweepstakes parlors at Tuesday night’s public hearing at City Hall.
During the moratorium, Hickory staff will create a proposal to amend the Land Development Code for consideration by the Hickory Regional Planning Commission and the City Council.
Hickory City Attorney John Crone said he has submitted revisions to the zoning proposal as indicated by council members and that an amendment should come before the board before the moratorium expires.
The moratorium ordinance states, in part, that the state “has continuously prohibited public gaming in North Carolina since 1791.
“An ‘internet cafe,’ or by whatever other terminology such establishment might be known ... is not listed as a permitted or special use in the City’s Land Development Code.
“The conduct of business by ‘internet cafes’ has characteristics to suggest that such uses may materially endanger the public health or safety, substantially injure the value of adjoining or abutting property, and/or not be in harmony with the area in which it is located.”
The ordinance states the city wants to explore options on the gaming issue, including “modification of privilege license fees.”
If the city council adopts a zoning amendment on electronic gaming establishments, the moratorium would no longer be in effect.
The council’s unanimous vote on the moratorium came without comment.
For more go to www.hickorygov.com.
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