WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News LeaderInternet Cafes Shut Down Again

Internet Cafes Shut Down Again

It's a hot topic right now in Tallahassee, Internet cafes.

The legislature seems to be split on the issue, the House wishing to ban the industry and the Senate wanting to regulate it.

But until there's a decision, Jackson County Law Enforcement believes current statutes say Internet cafes are illegal and a form of gambling.

Back in July, a Jackson County Grand Jury released an opinion supporting the Sheriff's view, that these operations are a form of gambling. The operations, on the other hand, disagreed and reopened, only to be shut down again.

"I have an obligation. I cant just turn my head the other way because some people think it's right or wrong. It's not a moral issue to me one way or the other. I mean, if the law dictates that it's okay that's fine. If the law dictates, which I think it does that its not, then we're going to have to address it," says Sheriff Lou Roberts of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

Acting on opinions from both a Jackson County Grand Jury and the Attorney General, the Sheriff's Office shut down operations at both the Big Dawg and Kindel Lanes, Tuesday. These businesses are located off of Highway 90.

"we would have hope they would have shut down their operations at least until a conclusion at out legislature," says Roberts.

@

The attorney for Kindel Lanes says the operation opened up because they believe it's a legitimate business, and there's a discrepancy over the interpretation of the statute.

"Obviously there's a disagreement. But unfortunately Mr. Hess and the Sheriff have taken it upon themselves to buck the rest of the law in the state of Florida and try to determine that they're illegal in Jackson County," says Lewis.

Kindel Lanes has filed a civil law suit which is scheduled for a summary judgement hearing in the next few months.