Sixty-eight eight-liner gaming devices at four different stores were put out of service this week following a series of police raids in DeSoto, Texas. During Tuesday’s searches, officers also confiscated $17,000 from alleged gambling sites.
The raids targeted businesses located within about one mile of each other. Identified as Happy Mart at 1100 E. Pleasant Run Road, Family Mart at 1231 E. Pleasant Run Road, Daily Food Mart at 900 N. Polk Street, and DeSoto Food Mart at 901 N. Polk Street, these establishments were under surveillance by DeSoto police for suspected illegal gambling activities.
Although the owners and managers of these businesses have not been charged, they are currently under investigation for a misdemeanor charge of keeping a gambling place, according to a statement from the DeSoto Police Department. The evidence gathered during the operations was reviewed by a local judge who subsequently approved the search warrants.
DeSoto Police Chief Joe Costa stated, “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. This type of activity hurts our community and our residents, and will not be tolerated.”
In addition to the police actions, DeSoto’s Fire and Development Services departments will inspect each of the businesses to ensure compliance with fire regulations, certificate of occupancy rules, and building permit codes.
Eight-liners, which resemble slot machines, are a focal point of ongoing legal debates in Texas. Depending on the type, a player can “win” if a row of objects line up horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Recent attempts by Texas courts, state legislators, and local officials aim to clarify the legality of eight-liners. There is a notable “fuzzy animal” exception, which allows for limited use of these machines. This exception dates back to a 1993 Texas Supreme Court ruling, which permitted amusement games to award low-value prizes or tickets.
Players can use the machines for entertainment, but no prize can exceed a value of $5. To circumvent this law, some businesses award winners with groceries or debit cards for retail stores instead.
Eight-liners have become increasingly prevalent in many Texas communities, especially in the southern part of the state. Meanwhile, discussions around potential casino legislation may soon resurface. Previous attempts to approve casino resorts in Texas have failed in the state legislature, but the issue remains a topic of interest.
