Sixty eight-liner gaming devices at four different stores were put out of service this week after police raids in DeSoto, Texas. Officers also confiscated $17K from alleged gambling sites during Tuesday’s searches.
The owners and managers of the businesses haven’t been charged, DeSoto police said in a statement, but they are under investigation for a misdemeanor charge of keeping a gambling place, police added.
The four businesses are located within about one mile of one another, according to Texas TV station WFAA.
They are identified as:
- Happy Mart – 1100 E. Pleasant Run Road
- Family Mart – 1231 E. Pleasant Run Road
- Daily Food Mart – 900 N. Polk Street
- DeSoto Food Mart – 901 N. Polk Street
The searches came about after police collected evidence on operations at each of the businesses. The evidence was reviewed by a local judge who approved search warrants.
The investigation into suspected gambling will continue in other DeSoto locations.
This is just the first wave of warrant searches conducted against area establishments suspected of illegal gaming, and violators should know that we are monitoring other reports of alleged illegal activity and will be coming for them next,” DeSoto Police Chief Joe Costa said in the statement. “This type of activity hurts our community and our residents, and will not be tolerated,” he added.
DeSoto’s Fire and Development Services departments will also inspect each of the businesses to ensure they meet fire regulations, certificate of occupancy rules, and building permit codes, the police department revealed.
Eight-Liners Explained
Eight-liners resemble slot machines. Depending on the type, a player “wins” if a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal row of objects line up.
Texas courts, state legislators, and local officials recently have attempted to clarify if eight-liners are legal in the state.
Over the years, Texas courts have had to determine if certain prizes being given out on these machines are legal,” according to a Texas government website.
State officials have noted there is a “fuzzy animal” exception, which permits limited use of eight-liner machines.
The loophole is traced to a 1993 Texas Supreme Court ruling. Amusement games that award low-value prizes or tickets may be considered legal under that court decision.
Players can use the machines for entertainment purposes but no prize can be given out that has a value of more than $5. To get around the law, some businesses will give winners groceries or a form of debit card for a retail store.
Recently, eight-liners are increasingly found in many Texas communities, especially in South Texas.
Casino Proposals
On a related front, Texas may soon once again consider if a limited number of destination casino resorts will be allowed in the state.
Prior attempts to approve casino legislation have died in the state legislature.
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