Pinebluff commissioners have amended the town ordinances to allowing internet gaming as an accessory use in the town's general business district.

In the current ordinance gaming operations must be a minimum of 500 feet from any building being used as a dwelling. The amended ordinance adds language that says that requirement shall not apply if the electronic gaming operation includes no more than two electronic gaming machines and if the only dwelling located within 500 feed of the electronic gaming operation is owned or occupied by the owner of the electronic gaming operation.

The amendment also changes the time internet gaming cafes may operate to 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The prior ordinance allowed their operation from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

The change was sought by several businesses, Mayor Earlene McLamb said.

The town planning board recommended the changes at its meeting in July.

Prior to the vote, a public hearing was held. No citizens spoke during that time.

Pinebluff currently has one internet gaming cafe, The Pinebluff Internet Cafe has 33 machines and is located next to the C.P. Store on U.S. 1.

McLamb said there was concern and complaints when the Pinebluff Internet Cafe opened in 2010.

"We have not really had any concerns or complaints recently," she said.

Internet gaming cafes and other entertainment businesses are not permitted as uses within the town's central business district, which runs south from Chicago Avenue to Boston Avenue.

Internet gaming cafes are allowed in the general business district, which runs from Chicago Avenue north to the town limit.