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North Carolina officials rule against sweepstakes video games

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July 21, 2023

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and state law enforcement officers are asking a state court to block a county judge's ruling to allow sweepstakes video games, according to a report in The Carolina Journal.

The governor and the Department of Public Safety and Alcohol Law Enforcement are seeking a a "writ of superseadas" and a temporary stay to block a Forsyth County judge's ruling that favors Victory Vending Co. and BST USA, which manufacturers and operates internet kiosks, to use video sweepstakes promotions to sell internet time through kiosks.

Superior Court Judge Todd Burke in June issued an injunction in June favoring plaintiffs BST USA and Victory Vending Co.

Cooper and the DPS and ALE officials disagree with Burke's decision.

Lawyers for North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein also said that the state has banned the operation of video sweepstakes kiosks since 2010.

In addition, a unanimous N.C. Supreme Court last ruled against video sweepstakes operators in the February 2022 case Gift Surplus v. State of North Carolina.