(Citizen-Times) As the state legal battle continues over video sweepstakes machines, city officials are trying to figure out a stance on the lucrative games — social scourge, money for municipal coffers or both. With the most recent state court ruling making the games legal again and their numbers likely to grow, City Council is set to vote today on a new privilege license fee for businesses with the machines. The businesses — mostly convenience stores with two or three machines — would have to pay a base fee of $1,500, plus $2,500 per machine, according to the proposal going before council. The base fee represents a $500 increase over what had been charged before the most recent court ruling.The fee is higher than the amount most businesses pay for a license and could provide more than $200,000 aimed at affordable housing.
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