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A request to temporarily block progress in the process of banning video poker in North Carolina was blocked by a Superior Court Judge, Thursday, Sept 28th. The request was issued by the North Carolina Amusement Machine Association, who had hoped to delay the anti-video poker law while they resolve their lawsuit fighting it. However, Judge Narley Cashwell concluded against the plaintiffs, stating that they “have failed to demonstrate that they are likely to sustain immediate and irreparable harm … or that they are likely to prevail on the merits of the case.” The NCAMA began their lawsuit two weeks ago, basing it on the credibility of the constitutionality of the law. Approved in June, the law requires the number of video poker machines functioning in any location to be reduced from three to two. On March 1st that number will drop to one, and then finally, zero on July 1st. Any caught with five or more machines, or any repeat offenders will be subject to punishment under the law. Arguments about the law were heard by Cashwell for less than half an hour from groups comprised of attorneys representing the state, opposing the delay and from the association hoping to find sympathy. Gene Boyce, a lawyer based out of Raleigh, representing around 100 businesses, mentioned he will be seeking a preliminary injunction as clients of his will be losing money. He said, “The attorney general says the law is good public policy. Our position is that driving people out of business is not good public policy.” Sign up and play online poker with celebrities now at Hollywood Poker.
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