Internet Cafe Opened Day Before Moratorium Took Effect

WFTV found out Friday, Allied Veterans Internet Cafe opened in Casselberry just 24 hours before a city moratorium took effect. Similar businesses have been accused of doubling as gambling houses.

WFTV tried to ask workers about their business, but security at the Allied Veterans location didn't want WFTV showing the place off. Even regulars like Maria Conlon came close to admitting what many believe, that the so-called “Internet center" is just a cover.

“Is it gambling?” WFTV reporter George Spencer asked.

“Sort of, but you have to control yourself,” Conlon replied.

Like the doctor's office next door, where nearly every free spot has been full since Allied Veterans' grand opening Thursday.

“We don't have any patients in our lobby, so eventually you know that they're in there,” said Lorainne Natal, Family Physicians of Casselberry.

Casselberrry leaders aren't pleased. Vice Mayor, Sandra Solomon, says Internet centers like it are exactly what the city hoped to ban with a moratorium that took effect Friday.

“Obviously they knew what they were doing,” she said.

She says Allied Veterans just beat the clock.

”In between our notices and even when they heard about it, they came to the city and got a business license,” Solomon said.

Allied Veterans says what it's doing is not gambling, because the winners are all pre-determined. The gambling-like games are just a fun way to find out if you've won.

The non-profit organization compares itself to the soda company's pre-determined sweepstakes winners under each bottle cap.

Under state law, Allied Veterans must give free sweepstakes entries to anyone who wants them. As a non-profit, it does donate to VA hospitals.

“This goes to veterans and there nothing wrong with it in my opinion, because it helps a lot of the disabled veterans,” customer Tenita Reid said.

Some of the centers like Allied Veterans are said to take in as much as $400,000 per day. However, leaders admit only $1 out of every $3 actually goes to veterans' aid.

A final decision on Allied Veterans’ legality will likely come from a court ruling or clearer state laws.