Officials question gambling

Woman adds video poker to store on Bobby Jones Expressway; machines pose concerns

Web posted July 29, 2000

 Have a thought? Go to the @ugusta Forums.

By Jason B. Smith
Columbia County Bureau

Dana Mills knew opening her own business would be a gamble.

Now, she's giving her customers a chance to get in on the action.

``When they leave us, they are not drunk,'' she said. ``They are not on drugs. We don't prostitute. Their pockets may be empty, but that's just part of the game. Sometimes they leave with gift certificates.''

Amid the porcelain dolls, antique furniture, used weight bench and other odds and ends at D's Collectables, there are 20 video poker machines. The machines - with names such as Treasure Chest and Double Up - sit in the back of the building, tucked behind a dark, wooden chest and in two back rooms.

On July 1 - the same day South Carolina's ban started - she opened her store on Bobby Jones Expressway. She didn't tell Columbia County officials she planned to bring in 20 video poker machines, and they didn't ask. In fact, if a county employee had not gone to the Bobby Jones Expressway business earlier this week, local officials might not have even known about the machines.

``This is an adult's Fantasyland, Chuck E. Cheese, or Funsville,'' Ms. Mills said.

Now, local leaders are trying to figure out what to do about the machines. They've already received four business license applications for video poker parlors, and there's no ordinance in Columbia County to address them. The only limitation is the machines - actually, any amusement-type business - must be in an area zoned for commercial use.

``There's nothing in our ordinances right now to regulate the video poker machines that are being eliminated in South Carolina,'' Planning and Zoning Director Kendal Jones said. ``That's what we are worried about.''

Just like a dozen handwritten signs say, Ms. Mills doesn't make cash payouts - those are illegal in Georgia. Instead, she offers winners Wal-Mart gift certificates or credit in her store.

``Our clientele is mostly older, retired women,'' said Ms. Mills, who worked at Legends of South Carolina until the state banned video poker.

It's a battle Richmond County officials have been fighting since mid-June. Then, officials pushed through an amendment to the city's arcade ordinance imposing distance and other licensing requirements for arcades with 10 or more machines.

Then, on July 14, the Richmond County Sheriff's Department confiscated 45 video poker machines, about $9,000 in cash and two handguns. Officers shut down three video arcades and arrested two people on commercial gambling charges in connection with making cash payoffs.

In Columbia County, officials say they are hoping to use a building code provision that requires electrical equipment to be UL (Underwriters Laboratory) approved. According to county building official Richard Harmon - who used to work in North Augusta - most video poker machines are not UL approved.

They also are looking at other ways to stop the video poker industry from moving across the Savannah River and gaining a foothold in Columbia County. For example, the county could limit the number of machines in a certain locations, or place strict parking requirements on any establishment that has machines. Or it could ensure the machines are not near schools and churches.

``Philosophically, I'm not real excited about having large operations offering this type of service in Columbia County,'' Commissioner Frank Spears said.

For now, county officials are looking to the state law for direction.

``We need to know what our limitations are from the state,'' Commissioner Barry Fleming said.

Mrs. Jones said the county's response to video poker comes down to a simple question.

``Are video poker machines and amusement business something we think is good for Columbia County?'' she asked. ``That's a call the commission had to make.''

Mr. Fleming already has made his decision.

``The question is `Is this type of gambling of good?'ƒ'' he said. ``I lean toward `No, it's not good.'ƒ''

The city of Harlem is taking precautionary measures against video poker.

The city council wants to draw up an ordinance banning video poker within city limits.

``We haven't had any problems as of yet,'' Mayor Shirley Tankersley said. ``But we want to be ready if it comes this way.''

Reach Jason B. Smith at (706) 868-1222, Ext. 115.