Hot Spot in Trouble

11/30/2008		Hot Spot in Trouble
Home History Games News Dictionary		Some people simply don’t learn their lesson- or seriously think they’re going to get away with it. In this category, we find the Hot Spot internet café, located in Midvale, Utah. For the second time this year, the online access spot have found themselves in trouble with the law for products and access provided to their customers- in a state that doesn’t allow online gambling, or private lottery winnings. This month’s accusations are based on what the Hot Spot reps are calling a promotional arrangement. Until the case is closed, it is up for debate as to whether or not their “sweepstakes” were within or outside of the law. Apparently, the sweepstakes in question was based off of time bought at the online stations within the café. Mayor for the town of Midvale, JoAnn Seghini, made the following statement after the Hot Spot’s license was taken away: “They were playing games, like computer slot machines and various games of chance. They said it wasn’t gambling, but if your lucky number came up, they gave you cash.” A response was made by one of the attorney’s representing Hot Spot, Steven Stewart, who claimed the sweepstakes model is completely within Utah law, because it falls under promotional. Because the sweepstakes were offered in relation to purchased online time, no laws were broken with the prizes. Contradicting the mayor’s claim that no mention of gaming was made at the time of application for the license, Stewart says that he and other reps met with both police and the city attorneys when the license was granted to explain, clarify and gain permission for the sweepstakes model. This is not the first time Hot Spot has found themselves on a hot burner. Already once this year was the company’s license revoked, that time for allegedly offering gambling opportunities. Local administrative judge J Scott Lundberg will review the case.

11/30/2008

Hot Spot in Trouble

Some people simply don’t learn their lesson- or seriously think they’re going to get away with it. In this category, we find the Hot Spot internet café, located in Midvale, Utah. For the second time this year, the online access spot have found themselves in trouble with the law for products and access provided to their customers- in a state that doesn’t allow online gambling, or private lottery winnings.

This month’s accusations are based on what the Hot Spot reps are calling a promotional arrangement. Until the case is closed, it is up for debate as to whether or not their “sweepstakes” were within or outside of the law. Apparently, the sweepstakes in question was based off of time bought at the online stations within the café. Mayor for the town of Midvale, JoAnn Seghini, made the following statement after the Hot Spot’s license was taken away: “They were playing games, like computer slot machines and various games of chance. They said it wasn’t gambling, but if your lucky number came up, they gave you cash.”

A response was made by one of the attorney’s representing Hot Spot, Steven Stewart, who claimed the sweepstakes model is completely within Utah law, because it falls under promotional. Because the sweepstakes were offered in relation to purchased online time, no laws were broken with the prizes. Contradicting the mayor’s claim that no mention of gaming was made at the time of application for the license, Stewart says that he and other reps met with both police and the city attorneys when the license was granted to explain, clarify and gain permission for the sweepstakes model.

This is not the first time Hot Spot has found themselves on a hot burner. Already once this year was the company’s license revoked, that time for allegedly offering gambling opportunities. Local administrative judge J Scott Lundberg will review the case.