RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Sweepstakes parlors are among the businesses North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has ordered to close later this week to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The parlors are places people go hoping to win cash, but time is about to run out for North Carolina sweepstakes parlors — at least for a little while.
RELATED: Full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak
Also called skilled game rooms or internet cafes, sweepstakes parlors are among the businesses the governor says must close by Wednesday.
CBS 17 found several parlors in Raleigh already closed. Others say they’ve been taking more precautions.
Daniel Storie owns or consults for hundreds of game rooms across the state, including H & L Business Center in Raleigh. He says he’s tried to create distance between customers.
“Every unit that’s on, the two units next to it will be off, so what we’ve done is we’ve created a limited amount of units that are accessible,” he explained.
With more people heeding advice to stay home, he says he’s seen a big drop in business, and he was prepared for the governor’s decision.
“I do think he’s doing the right thing,” said Storie.
“In this industry, there’s approximately 6,000 locations in North Carolina and we employ over 25,000 people, and we definitely want to do what’s best for our client base and what’s best for our employees,” he added.
More headlines from CBS17.com:
- Tiger at New York City zoo tests positive for coronavirus
- Up to 17 shots fired in drive-by shooting that injured baby, Durham neighbors say
- Many in Triangle head out boating, fishing while keeping social distancing in mind
- Raleigh nursing students ready to graduate, help amid COVID-19 pandemic
- 3 dead in NC boat crash; 2 men operated boats while impaired, officials say
For more stories like this that matter to you, click here to download the CBS 17 News app for free.
Watch live newscasts, get breaking news and sign up for push alerts – download now