District Attorney Seth Edwards announced December 1 that he has issued cease and desist letters to all known businesses operating internet café/sweepstakes machines in the Second Judicial District, which includes Beaufort, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell and Washington counties. 

The letter, which will be hand delivered in a joint operation between North Carolina’s Alcohol Law Enforcement and the local sheriff, instructs the businesses to cease operations within 30 days or face prosecution.

According to Edwards, this action was prompted by the clear intent of the legislature to criminalize these operations combined with legal precedent handed down by North Carolina’s highest courts.

“Now that the dust has settled as far as our appellate courts are concerned, it is appropriate for us to devote time and resources to eliminate the operation of these machines,” he said.