The Galveston Police Department Vice and Narcotics Unit served 21 search-and-arrest warrants across Galveston County on Thursday. Law enforcement officials stated they used electronic eight-liners, similar to slot machines, to target alleged illegal gambling enterprises in Galveston, Texas City, and La Marque, respectively.
Investigators seized over $2 million during the operation, though the figure is not final because officials are still recording and accounting for evidence, according to Galveston Police Chief Doug Balli.
Balli said in a Friday morning news conference that the investigation began after law enforcement received a tip about possible unlawful gambling in June. A official investigation was launched in the days following the tip.
According to a news release from the Galveston Police Department, four people were detained on October 29 in connection with alleged illicit gambling operations and charged with organized criminal activity. Each individual’s bond was set at $250,000.
According to the announcement, law enforcement conducted search warrants at 14 separate businesses, storage facilities, and venues associated with the suspected illicit activity:
- Jake’s Place — 1706 23rd St., Galveston, TX
- Lucky Lounge — 904 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX
- 3 Doors Down — 102 20th St., Galveston, TX
- Union Public House — 114 20th St., Galveston, TX
- Alibi Bar — 2325 Ave. F, Galveston, TX
- Gizmo Bar — 2102 26th St., Galveston, TX
- Island Time Bar — 3102 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX
- Corner Pocket Bar — 5227 Ave S, Galveston, TX
- Storage Unit — 5227 Ave. S (Rear), Galveston, TX
- Midtown Tavern — 5806 Stewart Road, Galveston, TX
- Home Team Storage — 6615 Stewart Road, Galveston, TX
- Roll – N – Bar — 8305 Stewart Road, Galveston, TX
- Dizzy Dorado — 3802 Cove View Blvd., Galveston, TX
- Spankies — 9002 FM 2004, Santa Fe, TX
Representatives from Home Team Storage and Corner Pocket Bar informed Houston Public Media that their businesses will continue to operate as usual, but declined to comment on the allegations. The other firms did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Texas law permits game rooms as long as they do not contain illicit gambling machines. Texas law prohibits gambling equipment, such as eight-liner gaming machines, from awarding cash prizes. According to the Texas State Law Library, a provision in the law known as the “fuzzy animal” exception permits operators to award non-cash prizes valued less than $5.
However, following a Texas appeals court ruling that determined eight-liner gaming machines were unconstitutional lotteries, Galveston County and municipalities such as League City, Dickinson, and La Marque decided to outright ban them, according to the Galveston County Daily News. Galveston and Hitchcock have yet to officially ban eight-liner machines.
The search warrants issued on Thursday come after many recent crackdowns on alleged illicit gaming businesses in Galveston County. In February, the Galveston County Organized Crime Task Force served search warrants at 20 places suspected of operating illegal gaming enterprises in Hitchcock, which is about 40 miles southeast of Houston.
In June, Galveston County law enforcement issued search warrants to demolish alleged illicit game room operations in several sites in La Marque.”This is an ongoing effort in the county,” Galveston County District Attorney Kenneth Cusick said at Friday’s news conference. “It appears that people are not receiving the message after Hitchcock and La Marque. “These eight-liners, this illegal gambling, will not be tolerated.”
Balli stated that the probe is active and ongoing.
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