Eighteen of the suspects are alleged patrons; the others are employees expected to face more serious charges.
SAN ANTONIO — An investigation led by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the takedown of an illegal gambling operation Tuesday afternoon at a business in a busy south-San Antonio strip center, according to authorities.
Sheriff Javier Salazar said the business appeared to be sectioned into two separate areas, with one side housing illegal gambling machines — commonly known as “eight-liners” — and the other allegedly functioning as the payout center.
“For legal reasons, it looks like they were trying to keep some separation between the two, but we were able to establish that there’s some link,” Salazar said at the scene, in the 2300 block of E. Southcross Boulevard. “You play over here, but you don’t receive the payment over here. They give you some sort of token to go to the next business and redeem that token for cash payment—that’s what makes it illegal.”
Salazar said deputies detained approximately 18 patrons and four employees during the bust. The alleged players will face Class C misdemeanor charges for gambling and be issued citations, while the unidentified employees are expected to be charged with keeping a gambling place and promoting gambling.
Salazar said investigators are also exploring charges of engaging in organized criminal activity.
Deputies were executing a search warrant around 4 p.m. and expected to remain on scene for several hours. They planned to seize cash and examine the contents of the machines.
Although it’s unclear how long the operation had been in business, Salazar noted that the department had gathered enough intelligence earlier in the day to move forward with the warrant.
Salazar warned the public about the risks associated with visiting such establishments.
“Possession of the machines themselves is not illegal. It’s the manner in which they pay out,” he said. “Engaging in the gambling itself could be illegal depending on how they’re paying out. My best advice is: Don’t come to these places at all, because you just don’t know.”
One person detained during the raid was also found to be in possession of a felony amount of narcotics, underscoring the overlapping criminal elements often tied to these operations, Salazar said.
The sheriff’s office is asking for the public’s patience as deputies continue their investigation at the site.