County officials have said the moratorium would prevent any cafes from opening in the county before the state has time to ban them permanently.

Palm Beach County OKs temporary ban on internet gambling cafes

By Jennifer Sorentrue
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Palm Beach County commissioners agreed today to continue with a plan to block new internet cafes from opening in the county’s unincorporated sections, but some on the seven-member board raised questions about the need for such a measure.

Commissioners voted last month to stop issuing new business tax receipts while county administrators worked to put a moratorium in place to temporarily prevent the popular businesses, known as “casinos on the corner,” from opening here.

The moratorium was tentatively approved by the commission, but two commissioners questioned why the county needs to block the establishments. Commissioners agreed to reduce the length of the ban to six months, down from the original proposal of one year. A final vote will be held March 22.

Commissioner Steven Abrams, the only one to oppose the moratorium, called the cafés “harmless entertainment, akin to a bingo hall.” Abrams said he won $4 on a recent visit to an internet café.

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