GROVE CITY —
The Mercer County district attorney will be cracking down on Internet gambling parlors next week - except for one in Grove City.
"I talked to Bob Kochems twice today," said Danny Como, who owns 157 Internet Cafe on 157 S. Broad St. "I don't have to close down. I'm different than the rest of them."
Internet sweepstakes parlors have operated this year in Pennsylvania by selling phone cards which entered patrons into a finite sweepstakes pool.
Patrons could redeem the cards right away to see if they won any money, or use the cards to buy Internet time to play casino-like games that eventually revealed if they won or lost.
Legislators believed the games were a way to skirt the state's gaming law.
Gov. Tom Corbett agreed, and signed a law on June 30 that closed the operations - and an appeal for an injunction in Luzerne County was recently lost in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Como just opened his business weeks before Corbett signed the law, closed down for a couple of weeks, then reopened when the injunction was being decided, just like others in the state.
He contemplated buying the phone card system, but instead opted to sell Internet time alone that customers could use for whatever Internet benefit they liked - gambling or not, he said.
"Most of the people are coming in for (regular) Internet," he said, such as college students. Como sells the time for $5 per hour.
Law officers will raid Internet gambling establishments Oct. 22 if they are still open.
Como is glad he isn't one of them.
He said he was expected to get a document on Tuesday from Kochems proving to any law officer paying him a visit that his establishment is legit.
In the meantime, he will clean up his store window from the fake money and coins that designated his business primarily as an Internet gaming location.
"It looks cheesy," Como said.
Tom Davidson, Herald staff writer, contributed to this story.
Published Oct. 17, 2012, in Allied News. Pick up a copy at 201 A Erie St., Grove City.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Danny Como has a reason to smile. While other Internet cafe owners will be forced to shut down starting Oct. 22 for circumventing the state's gaming laws, Como will be given the green light to keep operating 157 Internet Cafe at 157 S. Broad St., Grove City. Como never signed on with the phone-card style gambling method used by other Pennsylvania establishments this past year, which is the controversial business practice of the cafes that will be closed. Felicia A. Petro
Discussion
Lady Luck smiles on GC's Net cafe
- Local News
-
-
'Hiding in plain sight'
What's in a name?
A lot, when you're trying to hide your Jewish background during the Holocaust to escape certain death. -
Joden wins Vegas cover with vintage coral jewelry
Joden Jewelers in downtown Grove City is making headlines among its peers -- again.
-
Laying green groundwork
Award-winning green architect and Slippery Rock University graduate Robert Kobet returned to his alma mater Thursday to share his success stories and help lay the same groundwork for SRU.
-
Businesses take stock after blaze
Business owners affected by Wednesday's fire in Sandy Lake are in the throes of how they will rebuild their livelihoods.
-
SR library gets grant, eyes expansion
Slippery Rock Community Library has expanded its inventory – but is still in desperate need of more room.
-
Pause to notice positivity, art
"Tea Pot" and "Industrial Arts" are the two newest fixtures in Olde Town Grove City.
-
Local doc now offering improved ankle surgery here
A local foot and ankle specialist is the only physician in the area trained to perform an advanced ankle replacement procedure that has improved the quality of life for several patients.
-
THIS JUST IN
Slippery Rock resident Mark Beres, who practiced optometry in New Castle, has been jailed on federal child porn charges.
-
Survivors' stories
Rape and sexual assault among U.S. military members have become an epidemic, and director Kirby Dick felt the need to share the survivors' stories with the world in a documentary that continues to gain attention.
-
Support the kids at May 4 benefit
A benefit to support the Food For Kids Backpack Project is being held Saturday, May 4, at Grove City Country Club. Cocktails will be served at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. The evening includes Chinese, silent and live auctions.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
