Over the last few months, Texas intensified its efforts against illegal gambling. Conducting raids, seizing assets and shutting down illegal gambling outlets, law enforcement has conducted dozens of operations recently.
Eight Businesses in Bryan Raided
In one such operation, eight search warrants were executed throughout the city of Bryan, KCENTV reports. During the raids, police seized tens of thousands of dollars as well as nearly three dozen gambling devices. The raids across Bryan saw no arrests, however, the Bryan Police Department confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing.
Per the report, the Bryan Police Department’s Directed Deployment Team (DDT) executed search warrants at different addresses across the city, including at convenience stores and other businesses. The raids follow a tip received by law enforcement about illegal gambling businesses that offer “8-liner” machines.
Upon receiving the tip, police deployed undercover agents to help identify the illegal gambling dens. Throughout the investigation, law enforcement found out that businesses across the city offered 8-liner machines along with “pay out” machines. This setup constitutes illegal gambling, so the raids come as no surprise considering the state’s tough stance against unlawful gambling. Overall, 26 8-liner machines were seized, as well as eight pay out machines. During the raids, police also uncovered and seized nearly $64,500 in what is believed to be illegal gambling proceeds.
Suspects Reportedly Face Charges for Keeping a Gambling Place
According to police, it is not illegal to possess the so-called 8-liner machines. However, Texas currently prohibits the use of such machines for gambling purposes. Considering the undercover investigation and the pay out machines uncovered alongside the 8-liner machines, it is clear that law enforcement was able to take down several illegal gambling dens.
While currently there are no arrests, an unknown number of suspects are facing charges for keeping a gambling place, a crime recognized as a Class A misdemeanor. The Texas Penal Code Section §47.04, describes keeping a gambling place: “A person commits an offense if he knowingly uses or permits another to use as a gambling place any real estate, building, room, tent, vehicle, boat, or other property whatsoever owned by him or under his control, or rents or lets any such property with a view or expectation that it be so used.”
The maximum penalty for keeping a gambling place is up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $4,000. It’s important to note that anyone is presumed innocent before proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.