Did they change the gambling laws in Texas?

[Buff]

In the last year the small towns around me have been over taken by slot machine places. The little town of Lone Star has one gas station but 6 or 8 of these little Casinos. Going the other way there are 5 of them right around the 155 bridge on Lake of the pines.
It seems like every abandoned building in Marion county now is a Casino.

Is this just a rural East Texas thing or is it all over the state.

Breaks my heart to see folks taking advantage of the poor folks that live around the lake. They are bad decision makers and I am sure they are being taken advantage of.

[AgHntr10]

In the last year the small towns around me have been over taken by slot machine places. The little town of Lone Star has one gas station but 6 or 8 of these little Casinos. Going the other way there are 5 of them right around the 155 bridge on Lake of the pines.
It seems like every abandoned building in Marion county now is a Casino.

Is this just a rural East Texas thing or is it all over the state.

Breaks my heart to see folks taking advantage of the poor folks that live around the lake. They are bad decision makers and I am sure they are being taken advantage of.

Nothing changed. They seem to pop up all over then the county/cities will come in and do a raid and they shut down for a while.

It appears the penalties aren't stiff enough, sure they lose the machines and the cash in house during the raid but think about the tax free cash they take in before they bust them.

[Hunting4fun]

Not any different than taking suckers money from buying scratchoffs and lottery tickets. Heck the Casinos probably pay out a higher percentage than the lottery.

[stephens6]

As long as the machines do not pay out cash money, then they can have them in the stores. So if they pay out in "merchandise" cards kind of like tokens or tickets, legal. If they pay out cash, illegal. Does not mean they are not paying out cash, many do. Thats the legal loophole. There are game rooms all over the place where I work. Big hubs for illegal activity outside of gambling.

[texan4ut]

As long as the machines do not pay out cash money, then they can have them in the stores. So if they pay out in "merchandise" cards kind of like tokens or tickets, legal. If they pay out cash, illegal. Does not mean they are not paying out cash, many do. Thats the legal loophole. There are game rooms all over the place where I work. Big hubs for illegal activity outside of gambling.

This not really totally true. There are several places in Round Rock that pay actual money. The establishment has to be tied to a charity or other approved cause. VFW # *** and you can have money paying machines. There used to be 1 VFW in Round Rock, now I think there are 3-4 mainly to put in machines which also helps the VFW as a certain percentage of the profits go to the VFW or other charity the establishment is supporting. I have a friend she plays them all the time. I play every now and then, 275.00 is the highest jackpot I have hit.

[AntlerCollector]

Just make gambling legal in Texas already

[CaptainDave]

As long as the machines do not pay out cash money, then they can have them in the stores. So if they pay out in "merchandise" cards kind of like tokens or tickets, legal. If they pay out cash, illegal. Does not mean they are not paying out cash, many do. Thats the legal loophole. There are game rooms all over the place where I work. Big hubs for illegal activity outside of gambling.

Pretty much this, but I have heard of other loop holes. I honestly think some pay out cash money and just payoff the local authorities to turn the other way. I mean, considering that gambling is legal in a majority of states, it's not that difficult to get people to look past it for a few extra dollars. It's funny how you will see like 5-6 of these rooms within a couple mile stretch on a highway and once every now and then, one will get raided and shut-down. Probably didn't skim the funds for the locals, lol.

Bottom line is it just shows how stupid TX is regarding gambling laws. Countless people drive across state lines everyday (especially on weekends) to go gambling in LA, OK and NM. All while we are stuck with low rent, un-regulated gambling rooms that are questionable for even being on the up and up.

If it was legal, the state would have a gaming commission charged with the responsibility of not only regulating gambling, but also making sure casinos aren't cheating. A lot of people have no clue that these gaming commissions set minimum payout standards for casinos and routinely audit them to verify compliance.

[Hobbs]

They had a bunch around Lake Palestine. Called sweepstakes or charity something. They all got busted for selling drugs and other illegal activity. None are there now.

[bullhead44]

just make gambling legal in texas already

and weed!!!

[Worksalot]

Pretty much this, but I have heard of other loop holes. I honestly think some pay out cash money and just payoff the local authorities to turn the other way. I mean, considering that gambling is legal in a majority of states, it's not that difficult to get people to look past it for a few extra dollars. It's funny how you will see like 5-6 of these rooms within a couple mile stretch on a highway and once every now and then, one will get raided and shut-down. Probably didn't skim the funds for the locals, lol.

Bottom line is it just shows how stupid TX is regarding gambling laws. Countless people drive across state lines everyday (especially on weekends) to go gambling in LA, OK and NM. All while we are stuck with low rent, un-regulated gambling rooms that are even on the up and up.

If it was legal, the state would have a gaming commission charged with the responsibility of not only regulating gambling, but also making sure casinos aren't cheating. A lot of people have no clue that these gaming commissions set minimum payout standards for casinos and routinely audit them to verify compliance.

I’ve always been curious if payouts from certain folks in Oklahoma to TX lawmakers has helped to stop TX from legalizing certain forms of gambling. Wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the case. Makes no sense otherwise to not allow it here in TX.

Now, you won’t see me in any of those gambling places, but why allow all that money to leave the state and be spent in NV, OK and other places?

[RiverRat1]

not any different than taking suckers money buying marijuana. .

fify

[stephens6]

This not really totally true. There are several places in Round Rock that pay actual money. The establishment has to be tied to a charity or other approved cause. VFW # *** and you can have money paying machines. There used to be 1 VFW in Round Rock, now I think there are 3-4 mainly to put in machines which also helps the VFW as a certain percentage of the profits go to the VFW or other charity the establishment is supporting. I have a friend she plays them all the time. I play every now and then, 275.00 is the highest jackpot I have hit.

Guess I should have said "generally speaking"...

I don't know about the VFWs and charity laws/regulations. I would venture to assume most gas stations aren't doing it for charity. I know that 99.99% of the ones set up in my area are not doing it for that... I am only speaking on the general, day to day places that have machines set up.

[stephens6]

Pretty much this, but I have heard of other loop holes. I honestly think some pay out cash money and just payoff the local authorities to turn the other way. I mean, considering that gambling is legal in a majority of states, it's not that difficult to get people to look past it for a few extra dollars. It's funny how you will see like 5-6 of these rooms within a couple mile stretch on a highway and once every now and then, one will get raided and shut-down. Probably didn't skim the funds for the locals, lol.

These type of establishments are some of the most difficult to knock down for local agencies. Many times even when they are shut down or raided, it is so profitable for the "businesses" they will set shop back up there or somewhere else.

IMO, these types of places to meth heads are like a moth to a flame. Keeps them busy over night and out of my driveway pulling on my truck door handles. Id rather them be concentrated there than out trying to find a few bucks elsewhere. Plus makes it easy to find them when we need them.

[Drycreek3189]

Hell, let's just make everything legal. Gambling, drugs, prostitution, beating your wife, (or her beating you), driving drunk, you name it-we got it ! Think of all the money we could save on law enforcement ! After all, money is the most important thing, right ?

[Ironman]

Hell, let's just make everything legal. Gambling, drugs, prostitution, beating your wife, (or her beating you), driving drunk, you name it-we got it ! Think of all the money we could save on law enforcement ! After all, money is the most important thing, right ?

Well, you had me on the first 3. You lost me after that.