The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) announced it conducted a raid on seven game rooms in the area on Monday. In addition, it executed raids on 12 financial institutions accused of facilitating the illegal criminal network.
In a statement on Facebook, the GCSO confirmed the venues raided as follows:
- Gold Chest – 5307 IH-45, La Marque, Texas
- Pig Pen – 5309 IH-45, La Marque, Texas
- TJ’s – 4320 IH-45, La Marque, Texas
- Rusty’s – 228 Lake Road, La Marque, Texas
- Purple Building – 1002 Main Street, La Marque, Texas
- Double Diamond – 116 State Highway 3, La Marque, Texas
- 24/7 – 22430 W. Highway 6, Alvin, Texas
In addition to the 12 financial institutions, law enforcement also executed search warrants on two properties in Fort Bend County. These locations included a residence associated with the owner and operator of the Gold Chest game room and a warehouse believed to be utilized for the storage and distribution of illegal gambling machines.
The raid follows an operation conducted by the GCSO in February that led to the arrest of Hitchcock Mayor Christopher Armacost.
Residents Divided Over Game Rooms
While some residents celebrated law enforcement’s action, others accused the GCSO of targeting small businesses while real criminals go unpunished.
Several users commented on the GCSO Facebook post that the businesses were harmless. Others said there were many more game rooms operating without any consequences.
When conducting the raid earlier this year, Galveston County Sheriff Jimmy Fullen said game rooms are being used for more sinister crimes.
“It’s not just your mom and pop gaming places. It brings a criminal element. You got prostitution, illegal narcotics trafficking … you saw we had the weapons that we recovered from some of these places,” Fullen said.
In the latest raid, there was no official confirmation of what was seized at the venues. Information regarding arrests, criminal charges, and evidence seized will be provided later, the GCSO said.
Last year, over $10 million was seized from game rooms as well as hundreds of illegal gambling machines.
Push for More Legal Gambling in Texas Expected
The proposed takeover of Caesars Entertainment by Galveston-born billionaire Tilman Fertitta is expected to lead to increased efforts to legalize casinos in the state.
The $17.9 billion deal must first be approved by regulators. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement confirmed this week it will examine the proposal under the state’s Casino Control Act.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) may also object to what could be seen as a threat to competition. The FTC required Eldorado and Caesars to divest assets before allowing Eldorado to complete its 2020 acquisition of Caesars.
Multiple comments on the GCSO Facebook post referenced Fertitta’s efforts to expand gambling in Texas. Some indicated opposition to any form of gambling, but those comments were outweighed by those declaring gambling to be harmless entertainment.
Las Vegas Sands is also pushing for the state to legalize casinos. “The people of Texas want it,” the company said last year. It has invested heavily in lobbying to win over lawmakers.
In the meantime, law enforcement appears set to continue to target game rooms across the state, particularly in Galveston County.
