A fascinating policy debate is brewing. Some enterprising businessmen want to open an internet cafe in Apex. Town leaders want time to determine whether the business is, in essence, video poker — which is illegal in this state — and what kind of impact the business might have on the area.

The town is doing the right thing by investigating this thorougly. That said, reasonable people can clearly see it is silly for state government to deem that one form of gambling — video poker — is bad, but another form of gambling — the state-run lottery — is helping the children.