8-LINER BATTLE MAKES IT'S WAY TO HARLINGEN CITY COMMISSION MEETING-GANG WARFARE FOR CONTROL OF HARLINGEN LOOMS IN THE BALANCE!

WELCOME TO THE CENTER OF 8-LINER GAMBLING IN THE VALLEY.

OVER 30 DIFFERENT 8-LINER GAMBLING HOUSES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED BETWEEN THE CAMERON COUNTY LINE JUST WEST OF LA FERIA AND GOING EASTWARD UP TO THE HARLINGEN CITY LIMITS.  MOST OF THEM ARE LOCATED ALONG THE INTERSTATE HWY 83 FRONTAGE ROADS, (NORTH SIDE AND SOUTH SIDE) AND ALONG BUSINESS HWY 83 SURROUNDING LA FERIA.

Below are examples of 2 brand new 8-liners near the Cameron County Line west of La Feria!

Cameron County line on Business Hwy 83 just west of La Feria

Less than a mile from the Cameron County line west of La Feria the first double wide trailer 8-liner appears

The second 8-liner is just 1/2 mile away on Business Hwy 83 nearer La Feria, The sign says, "BYO." Does that mean bring your own booze?

The two 8-liners are hidden behind an adult day care center just west of La Feria on Bus. 83

Here is one of the two double wide trailers on this property converted to 8-liners just behind the adult day care center on Business 83

The Chicken Buckets reporter who took the above photos of the 8-liners behind the adult day care center was accosted by this local thug/body guard/bouncer who tried to unsuccessfully stop the reporter from photographing by trying to grab and take his camera!

Typical machines inside of an 8-liner establishment

Two local valley gangs are fighting over control of the lucrative 8-liner businesses in the Rio Grande Valley

An 8-liner machine within Harlingen City limits-notice two $20 dollar bills

Millions of dollars are being made monthly by the organized crime owners and operators of the illegal cash payout 8-liners in the Valley

The lure of easy money breeds crime, sorrow, and greed!

Crimes like robberies, extortion, prostitution, loansharking, assaults, thefts, and rapes increase near gambling establishments.

WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN WHO GO WITHOUT DECENT FOOD, CLOTHES, AND SHELTER BECAUSE MOMMY AND DADDY ABANDONED THEM AND SPENT THE WHOLE PAYCHECK TRYING TO WIN THE BIG ONE AT THE LOCAL 8-LINER?

WHAT ABOUT THE GAMBLING ADDICT?

The National Council on Problem Gambling has a confidential hot line you can call, 1-800-522-4700. This hot line offers advice and treatment referrals.  Another option for treatment is Gamblers Anonymous.  This type of treatment follows the same principles as that of Alcoholics Anonymous, using a 12 step program, sponsors and meetings.  The website for Gamblers anonymous is www.gamblers anonymous.org and thetoll free number is 1-888-GA-HELPS (1-888-424-3577).  There are no fees for Gamblers Anonymous.  They also offer Gam-Anon to help those affected by an addicted gambler

NOTICE AGENDA ITEM #19 ON UPCOMING HARLINGEN CITY COMMISSION MEETING!

In recent years Cameron County and other cities in Texas have seen a growth of eight-liner gaming devices.  These devises look like and are very similar to video poker and slot machines. Operators have tried to circumvent the state gambling laws by claiming exemption under the so called "fuzzy animal" exception or claiming that the games are for amusement only.  

An opinion was sought from the Galveston County District Attorney's office on exactly what constitutes illegal gambling in relationship to eight-liners.  They have advised that any of the following actions believed to be violations of the law that could result in prosecution:

Any award of cash, gift certificates, or anything, which may be exchanged for cash or gift certificates, including, certificates or tokens used for replay on a gambling device, regardless of value.
Any transfer of credits earned on one machine to another machine or the replay of credits earned on a machine in that or any other machine at a later date.
Any award of non-cash merchandise prizes, toys, or novelties that have a wholesale value available from a single play of the game or device of more than 10 times the amount charged to play the game or device once, or $5.00, whichever is less. The accumulation or stacking of credits/tickets toward the purchase of more valuable prizes will be considered to be a violation of the law if the accumulated credits exceed the maximum value for a prize which can be awarded from the machine as noted above.  The wholesale value of the prize, not the ticket, available from a single play, must be no more than 10 times the amount charged to play or $5.00, whichever is less.
Additionally, the practice of “match play,” where the owner or operator of a game or device “matches” the consideration paid by a player to play a game may subject the owner or operator to criminal prosecution if (1) the owner or operator puts cash into the machine, thereby rewarding the player with cash for play on the machine (see number 1, above); or (2) the owner’s match has the effect of reducing the cost to play the game.
The use of “door prizes” to attract customers is presumed to be legal, provided the players are not given additional entries into the door prize drawing based on the number of credits they win on a game or device.
Regarding the “charitable sweepstakes” issue: Typically this is done by some type of an association being made with the charity group by the owner of the 8-liners.  The players put their money into the machine as a “donation” and you are allowed to play the game for free.  At the end of the day the Charity may pay the owner of the machines $.90 out of every $1.00 collected.  This is not an exception to the law.

Operators of the game rooms that have these devices are subject to prosecution for (1) Gambling Promotion, (2) Keeping a Gambling Place, and (3) Possession of Gambling Device, Equipment, or Paraphernalia.   These are all Class A misdemeanor offenses that are punishable by up to a year in the county jail and or a possible fine up to $4,000.00. 

If found to be in violation of the statutes, the response may include the execution of warrants on your business and the seizure of illegal devices and monies not only from the devices, but also from your business and where appropriate your financial accounts.  If three or more persons combine to carry on said offense(s), the punishment can be increased to a State Jail Felony, punishable by anywhere from 180 days up to two years imprisonment in a State Jail Facility and a possible fine not to exceed $10,000.00.

If you know of illegal gambling occurring in Cameron County please report it.