Galveston Police Seize Over $2 Million in County-Wide Gambling Sweep

Galveston Police executed 21 search-and-arrest warrants across Galveston County on Thursday, targeting alleged illegal gambling operations. Investigators seized more than $2 million during the operation. Galveston Police Chief Doug Balli said the total is not final as officials continue documenting and accounting for evidence.

The sweep targeted operations involving electronic eight-liners, which function like slot machines, in Galveston, Texas City, and La Marque. Search warrants were served at 14 businesses, storage facilities, and venues identified as tied to the activity. These locations included Jake's Place, Lucky Lounge, 3 Doors Down, Union Public House, Alibi Bar, Gizmo Bar, Island Time Bar, Corner Pocket Bar, Midtown Tavern, and Roll-N-Bar. Investigators also served warrants at a storage unit on Avenue S, Home Team Storage, Dizzy Dorado, and Spankies in Santa Fe.

Four people were arrested and charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, according to a Galveston Police Department release dated Oct. 29. Each of the four individuals had bond set at $250,000. Representatives with Home Team Storage and Corner Pocket Bar said their businesses would continue operating normal hours but declined to comment on the allegations.

Balli said the investigation began in June after law enforcement received a tip about suspected illegal gambling. A formal investigation started in the days following that tip. At a Friday morning news conference, Galveston County District Attorney Kenneth Cusick addressed the operation. "This is a continuing effort in the county," Cusick said. "It seems like people are not getting the message after Hitchcock and La Marque. These eight-liners, this illegal gambling, is not going to be tolerated."

Texas law permits game rooms provided they do not contain illegal gambling devices. State law prohibits eight-liner gaming machines from awarding cash prizes, though a provision known as the "fuzzy animal" exception allows operators to award non-cash prizes worth less than $5, according to the Texas State Law Library. Galveston County and several municipalities, including League City, Dickinson, and La Marque, have banned eight-liner machines following a Texas appeals court ruling that determined the machines were unconstitutional lotteries. Galveston and Hitchcock have not banned the machines outright.

Thursday's warrants follow other recent actions in the county. In February, the Galveston County Organized Crime Task Force served warrants at 20 locations in Hitchcock suspected of operating unlawful gambling establishments. In June, Galveston County law enforcement executed warrants targeting alleged game room operations in La Marque. Balli said the investigation remains active and ongoing.