VIRGINIA BEACH -- Commonwealth's Attorney Harvey Bryant is confident the 11 sweepstakes Internet cafes shut down by police were operating illegally.
”It’s totally unregulated," said Bryant. "There is no one checking, no one auditing, no requirements that so much go to charity."
During a raid Wednesday, detectives confiscated nearly 500 computers from the businesses.
Bryant said the raid was the result of a six-month-long investigation.
“We have undercover officers go in and actually play the games on more than one occasion at all these locations," he tells 13News. "We have had experts, both active law enforcement outside our area and other gambling experts, helping.”
Virginia Beach is one of many cities in the Commonwealth grappling with how to deal with these Internet cafes.
Bryant believes this January lawmakers will have to ask themselves if they want Lady Luck to stay or go.
“My job is to enforce the law," Bryant said. "If they want it, they are going to have to change the statute. Right now, it appears the places are operating illegally. It is not legal gambling.”
