A gamble did not pay off for three local businesses that Wednesday were temporarily stripped of licenses to operate in Statesboro.
    City Council voted unanimously in its morning meeting to suspend for six months the licenses of three internet cafés that were operating, instead, as illegal commercial gambling facilities.
    Phone Net Sweeps, Cyber Center Café and Advance South, LLC will close shop temporarily, if not for good, while the Statesboro Police Department continues an investigation that led to six arrests for clandestine gambling operations.
    “The investigation began approximately two and a half months ago, after [the Police Department] received numerous complaints from citizens regarding gambling at the locations,” said Wendell Turner, Director of Public Safety. “The establishments were having electronic games of chance and paying-out monetarily with United States currency, which is a direct violation of Georgia law.”
    “The businesses were granted zoning recommendations for their licenses based on the assertions that they were internet sweepstakes cafes, meaning they were selling internet time to patrons,” said Mandi Cody, Director of Community Development.
    A search of the businesses in August revealed they were conducting themselves quite differently than the licenses allowed.
    According to Turner, six individuals were arrested — five for gambling charges, one for failure to appear in court in another county — and more than 100 computers, several thousands of dollars and two vehicles were seized as part of the operation.
    The cafés have operated in the city for less than a year.
    Council also approved a six-month moratorium for issuing business licenses to Internet cafés, while state legislators tackle the growing problem throughout Georgia.
    In August, Gov. Nathan Deal vowed to crack down on illegal gambling in the faux cafés. State lawmakers are expected to produce new legislation regarding the establishments during an upcoming legislative session.
     The City Council voted unanimously to set the millage rate for 2011 Ad Valorem (Property) Taxes at 6.358 mills. The rate will remain the same for a fifth consecutive year.
     Tax bills will be mailed in October, according to City Clerk Sue Starling; the due date for payment is set for December 20.
    Officials also approved a group of zoning variances that pave the way for the construction of a 576-bedroom apartment on a 10-acre tract of land adjacent to the campus of Georgia Southern University — at Highway 301 and Old Register Rd. — and a Fred’s Retail Store on Northside Drive West.
    City Council’s next scheduled meeting will take place September 20 at City Hall.
 
    Jeff Harrison can be reached at 912-489-9454.