NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Sheriff Ed McMahon has sent
some words of warning to anyone operating a sweepstakes parlor in New Hanover
County.
Staff at the sheriff's office sent out letters to business
owners with a message of criminal charges to anyone still open after a ruling
from NC Supreme Court found the form of gambling illegal.
The letter does not mention any detail of charges, but it
explains that new software touted as a ‘loophole' around the recent court
ruling makes no difference to his deputies.
It reads, in part:
If you believe that
software changes or other modifications to your operation will bring what was
previously illegal into legal compliance, then you have to rely on your own
independent legal counsel to make the decision to continue to operate your
business.
A spokesperson for the sheriff's office said no violations
have been reported as of Tuesday.
The City of Wilmington sent out similar letters, telling
sweepstakes owners that anyone still operating will be charged with civil
citations.
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