San Antonio Councilwoman Wants Controversial Eight-Liner Slot Machines Banned

A San Antonio councilwoman is seeking to ban controversial eight-liner gaming machines that Texas courts have ruled can be manipulated to violate the state’s gambling laws. A dance troupe performs during the Western Heritage Parade in San Antonio on Feb. 3, 2024. A San Antonio councilmember is proposing a ban on amusement eight-liner gaming machines. (Image: Shutterstock) Texas bans commercial gambling machines from awarding cash prizes. Eight-liners operate through an obscure law known as the “Fuzzy Animal Exception,” a provision in Texas’ gambling law that allows amusement devices to award non-cash prizes worth less than $5, or no more than 10 times the cost to play. The statute was designed to allow amusement operators to offer arcade games where players could win items like stuffed animals, toys, and novelties. San Antonio District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo says eight-liners are vastly different than the law’s original intent, and she wants to put an end to their grey operations. Through a Council Consideration Request dated Sept. 4, Castillo recommends that the City Council outlaw eight-liner games within San Antonio’s city limits. Reining in Illegal Gambling Castillo says eight-liners have gotten out of control, with operators devising clever ways to circumvent the “Fuzzy Animal Exception” and essentially turn the gaming devices into slot machines. Along with reprogramming the machines to allow for higher payouts, rogue operators have been found using indirect cash payouts, including prepaid debit cards, gift cards, and vouchers, that are redeemable at nearby partner businesses. It’s been more than two decades since the Texas Supreme Court ruled in 2003 that such cash-payment workarounds are illegal. The councilwoman says enough is enough. The continued operation of eight-liners in San Antonio undermines both the intent of state law and the city’s commitment to public safety and community well-being. San Antonio has an opportunity to protect residents and support lawful businesses by banning eight-liner operations,” Castillo said. Castillo’s proposal recommends that the city ban the gaming machines, enhance enforcement and inspection to ensure compliance, and prioritize community education about illegal gambling. Castillo has been joined by four councilmembers in banning eight-liners, including Edward Mungia (D4), Ric Galvan (D6), Marina Alderete (D7), and Marc Whyte (D10). The San Antonio City Council consists of 10 members. Castillo’s request will first be considered by the City Council’s Governance Committee, which Mungia sits. The Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing and referring new policy initiatives to staff and the full City Council. San Antonio is the seventh most populous city in the United States with more than 1.5 million residents. Texas Gambling Law Texas remains one of the few states without commercial or tribal casinos offering traditional slot machines and house-banked live dealer table games like blackjack, craps, and roulette. Las Vegas Sands continues to lobby in Austin for the state to welcome in casino resorts. The Texas Legislature does not meet in even-numbered years, but the push for gambling will reignite next year. The post San Antonio Councilwoman Wants Controversial Eight-Liner Slot Machines Banned appeared first on Casino.org.