7 Game Rooms Raided in Bishop
BISHOP – At around 4 pm, with Bishop Police Department taking the lead, Nueces County District Attorney's Office Criminal Interdiction Unit (C.I.U), Nueces Constables Precinct 3, Nueces County Precinct Five Constable, Robstown Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Security Licensing and Regulatory Division, raided 7 game rooms in Bishop.
203 machines have been seized and over $142,000 in fines have been issued.
Bishop Police Chief Edward Day confirmed that one person has been arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm and another person was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.
“These were operated by criminal organizations and people,” said Chief Day.
The 10-month investigation into the game rooms revealed that the city of Bishop did not give out operating permits and that cash was being used as a payout.
The State of Texas forbids gambling devices, such as eight-liners, from awarding cash prizes. However, operators can award non-cash prizes that are worth less than $5.
Article 3, Section 47 of the Texas Constitution does allow exceptions for charitable bingo, state lotteries and charitable raffles.