GREENSBORO -- The battle over video gambling resumed in Greensboro.
City police have been asking sweepstakes business owners to comply, but now officers are enforcing the law. On Monday afternoon police shut down East Cone Biz Center and took equipment as evidence.
"Over the last 60 days or so we've been informing the sweepstakes businesses in Greensboro that we were going to bring them in compliance with the state law," said Wayne Scott, Greensboro deputy chief.
After talks with the Guilford County district attorney, letters were sent out to more than 70 businesses saying they were enforcing the ban on sweepstakes machines.
"I've heard people who like these businesses and want them here, but I've heard just as many voices in the community that feel they are detrimental to the area. So, it's a matter of, I encourage people if they believe this law shouldn't be here they contact their local legislator and make those changes on the state level," said Scott.
TJ Faison and his brother support the operation because they don't consider it a form of gambling.
"I don't really call it gambling, not if you have self control. I've seen people come in here and blow like $80 at a time, how's that right? They have no self control they take their entire social security checks, that's not what I do. I take maybe $20 there if I can afford $40, I might come in here and play," said Faison.
And with the little money he plays, he says he's won a lot in the past allowing him to buy necessities.
"Which I've used to get what I needed like a microwave or a TV or I'm currently in the market for new clothes," said Faison.
Police say of the more than 70 businesses, all but three closed voluntarily.
"That's why we gave the time, we gave a little more time to some of our surrounding communities. We thought it was fair to do that, but the bottom line is, it's illegal and we don't necessarily have to agree with the law. We just have to obey it," said Scott.
Owners may face a misdemeanor charge for the first offense and a felony the second.