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. Covina Council OKs Online Gaming Centers June 4, 2003
The City Council voted 3-2 Tuesday to allow Internet gaming centers after West Covina officials contacted eight cities to see how they regulate such facilities. Councilmen Ben Wong, Mike Miller and Roger Hernandez voted in favor of the centers but asked for strict background checks on operators.
Mayor Steve Herfert and Councilwoman Shelley Sanderson voted no. The change in laws, prompted by the request of a resident, comes after two years of research into such centers, which consist of one or more rooms with dozens of computers where patrons play against each other in interactive war or sport games.
The West Covina gaming centers will be staffed with state-licensed but unarmed security guards. West Covina police Chief Frank Wills said the Police Department also will inspect the shops' operations regularly and "with great tenacity.'
Owners of the businesses will be required to obtain special permits and survive an intensive background check. No gaming centers will be allowed within 500 feet of schools.
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