County commissioners have extended a moratorium on new Internet cafés in unincorporated Lake, with one board member saying the state needs to be laying down the law.
 
The temporary ban on online-gambling sites will block for another year the permitting and opening of new sweepstakes cafés that offer casino-style games and cash winnings.
 
In January, the commission approved a 180-day ban on Internet gambling sites because it hoped state lawmakers would pass legislation addressing the issue. The Florida Legislature never took up the issue, though.
 
Lake County, Florida Commissioner Sean Parks said the issue should be addressed by the state because the gambling industry is regulated at the state level.
 
"This is an important issue that could affect the long-term quality of life in our community," Parks said. "We need to address this locally even if the state won't. Addressing this locally has already been tested as constitutional in the Seminole County case. Seminole County has prevailed, (but) someone is appealing that decision now but is not expected to be overturned. Out of caution, we are waiting to confirm this before moving forward with plans to regulate or not Internet café gambling in Lake County, Florida."
 
Commissioner Jimmy Conner said the courts have ruled against Internet cafés in Florida, and the Seminole County case will help the commission determine if it can ban the establishments outright.
 
"There is gambling going on in those places," Conner said. There was a shooting yesterday in Marion County. It is a qualify of life issue."
 
Last month, two armed men robbed the Rock Around the Clock Internet café in Leesburg with five patrons inside. And last September, a lone gunman robbed St. Paddy's Sweepstakes in the Four Corners area of South Lake.
 
Parks agreed with Conner that the cafés raise a public safety issue. He said it is important to protect property rights and property values of adjacent businesses and landowners.
 
"I am concerned because most of the communities around Lake County have permanently banned Internet-gambling cafés," Parks said.
" Lake County, Florida will become the default location of choice and, without a plan in place to regulate this industry, we could have some serious issues."

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