AUTHOR: Jerry "Jet" Whittaker
TITLE: Phase-out begins for video poker machines
DATE: 9:04 AM
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BODY:
<p class="mobile-post">RALEIGH, N.C. The first phase of a new law that will eventually rid the
state of video poker machines is underway. The state ban went into effect
yesterday, after a judge refused to stop its implementation last week.
Groups opposed to the law, including the North Carolina Amusement Machine
Association, have sued the state. They say the law was unconstitutional.
Last week, they asked a Superior Court judge to temporarily block the law
until the lawsuit could be heard -- but the judge denied the request. The
law requires the number of machines in operation at any location be reduced
from three to two. That number will drop to one by March First, and zero on
July First. Repeat offenders or those caught with five or more machines
would be guilty of a felony.</p>
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