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South Houston police officers have been conducting an undercover investigation about two months and found the game rooms had machines that would pay back more than 10 to 1 odds or the people running the business were giving cash payments for winning.
Sgt. J. Ryan, a spokesman for South Houston police, said it is illegal to give prizes that are considered worth more than $5 in value. So far police have arrested two suspects but there may be additional arrests, according to Ryan.
He said the police department confiscated 226 machines and more than $42,000 in cash from the three businesses. Police did not file charges on the people in the businesses that were playing. Ryan said police could have filed misdemeanor charges on everyone playing who was using the machine at the time of the raid.
Ryan said police are continuing to investigate businesses with eight liners and if police find places that are violating the chapter 47 of the Texas penal code, those operating the business as well as those participating the illegal gaming may be charged.
Police received tips there was illegal gambling going on at the business from concerned residents Ryan said.
Anyone with information about other business with illegal gambling in the city is asked to call the South Houston Police Department at (713) 944-1910.
