San Antonio, Texas Authorities Seize Eight-Liner Gambling Equipment During Raid
Posted on: September 22, 2019, 04:41h.
Last updated on: September 23, 2019, 10:32h.
A recent search of a San Antonio Texas illicit gambling operation led police to eight-liner gambling equipment, weapons, cash, and suspected drugs, according to news reports.
One suspect was arrested Friday night as a result of the search. Additional arrests and indictments are possible.
Eight-Liners (sometimes referred to as 8-liners) are a video device that takes its name from the different ways that symbols can line up for a winning spin. The devices are very popular in Texas.
How do eight-liners compare to slot machines? Traditional slot icons need to match across a horizontal row to pay out. But eight liners pay out when matches are seen in both vertical and diagonal rows.
Sheriff’s deputies and a SWAT team searching the property said they found meth and cocaine. The search came after a month-long undercover inquiry about the venue.
We have seen some links to organized crime, so if you live out here, you know that it’s going to bring an unsavory element with it,” Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar was quoted by WOAI News. Often, illegal gambling operations fail to follow local building codes — leading to hazards, the sheriff adds.
Earlier this month, San Antonio police also found an illegal gambling operation — including eight-liner equipment — as they investigated a shooting. On Sept. 6, police kicked in a door to a house and discovered some 20 people gambling.
They also found 30 slot machines throughout the residence. Police located $2,617, too, according to the San Antonio Current.
Elsewhere in Texas, Waco police last week arrested three suspects, seized suspected drugs, and found eight-liner gambling machines during a search of a local smoke shop.
The SWAT team located 19 eight-liner machines and approximately $7,000, police told the Waco Tribune. Some 15 people inside the smoke shop were detained by the police.
Eight-Liners Vs. Traditional Slots
In Texas, eight-liners can provide entertainment, but it is illegal for patrons to get any prize worth more than $5, according to the Texas Standard. Many times, operators try to argue they are following the law by giving out debit cards.
“The operator would say ‘Well, I’m not giving cash, I’m giving $20 worth of groceries. I’m giving a debit card that you can compensate at a local store,’” Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz said to the Standard.
Eight-liners are found throughout Texas, especially in South Texas. But officials have been cracking down on any illegal use, the news report said.
In February, State Rep. Richard Pe?a Raymond, a Democrat from Laredo, told the Standard, “You have a lot of eight-liners all over the state of Texas right now.”
There were proposals to legalize eight-liner gambling in local areas. They would be licensed by state officials, as well as by city or county governments.
Texas is losing billions of dollars each year to neighboring states where full-scale gambling with slots and table games is permitted. Louisiana is home to tribal and commercial casinos, while Oklahoma and New Mexico have Native American venues.
Texas Fails to Approve Commercial Casinos
Texas legislators failed to enact a bill earlier this year to approve up to 12 resort gaming venues throughout the state. State Rep. Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio), who authored House Bill 3043, told FOX 7, “We have to open up the discussion on gaming. We’re not asking for … casinos on every corner.”
On the other hand, Texas is home to one Native American casino that offers slot machines: the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle.?Sports betting in the US continues to expand across the country. A national ban was lifted last year following a ruling by the US Supreme Court. Texas has yet to approve it.
Related News Articles
Penn National Gaming Rebrands to Penn Entertainment
Devin O'Connor
— August 4, 2022
Puerto Rico’s Casino Del Mar Adds High Roller Gaming Room
Erik Gibbs
— August 31, 2023
Most Popular
Most Commented
Most Read
LOST VEGAS: First Documented ‘Trick Roll’ by a Prostitute
Corey Levitan
— September 9, 2024
Last Comments ( 2 )
OMG!! Please people if ur going to have an opinion please be sure ur opinion is valid....not all under ground gamerooms are trashy. And there are many people who walk out of those places with deep full pockets but like they say in Las Vegas," the house always wins"!! Only because usually those people come back and they bring friends. Which in the long run means the house won. Remember no one makes a individual gamble. Also the crime rate issue is ignorant. Crime is going to happen whether there are gamerooms or not. Name some crimes that are caused by gambling that u wouldn't find any where else....exactly....crime even happens at church, corner store, school, etc . So place blame with the person not the place. Taking responsibility can go along way in stopping REAL crime. Only reason gambling in Texas has a bad name is because TEXAS ISNT GETTING A PIECE OF THE PIE!!! JS................
Casinos in any way shape or form are evil. Because they aren't gambling.. you are. They let you win at first. But the program adapts and you lose much more than you ever win. They will suck a town dry and drive up the crime rate. Look at Durant Okla. I rest my case.