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RALEIGH -- Big money or a big problem?

Video poker has already been banned by the North Carolina General Assembly. However, a hybrid form of the game, video sweepstakes, is getting around the law throughout the state.

State Sen. David Hoyle, D-Gaston County, voted for the video poker ban, but says since sweepstakes are run over the Internet, the state might not be able to get rid of them. Now, he has gone to the NC Education Lottery to see what kind of money they could produce if regulated.

“Its $500 million of revenue in the second and third year, so that's a lot of money,” he said.

Sen. Julia Boseman, D-New Hanover County, agrees. She filed a bill this week that would direct sweepstake dollars to the state.

“I think we should tax them,” she said. “You know, collect the money because the state certainly, we certainly, need it.

"I think at some point it may even generate more money than the lottery.”

Under her proposal. money collected from the sweepstakes would go toward vocational schools, healthy school lunches and education capital needs.

Even with the educational gains, some political leaders are still skeptical.

“The overwhelming majority of the members of the House have always been in favor of a total video poker ban in North Carolina,” said Speaker of the House Joe Hackney. “I think that's where the members of the House still are.”

“I respect David Hoyle for bringing it up, its something that people can talk about and think about, but at the end of the day, we need to be thoughtful about what we do for North Carolina's future,” said Gov. Bev Perdue.

A similar bill has been filed in the House. There have also been bills filed to reaffirm certain lawmaker's dislike of video gaming machines.