BRYAN, Texas — Multiple illegal gambling machines were seized after search warrants were executed throughout the city of Bryan by Bryan PD's Directed Deployment Team (DDT) in multiple local convenience stores after complaints were filed to authorities.
According to Bryan PD, they verified that illegal gambling was being performed by using undercover officers go into the stores where the complaints were made and were able to learn where a host of "8-liner" machines were situated alongside a number of "pay-out" machines.
Bryan Police say that possessing an "8-liner" machine like one that was seized isn't illegal but using them for gambling purposes is.
While the suspects were not named, a total of eight search warrants were executed in which the suspects were accused of "Keeping a Gambling Place" and were ordered to turn over the machines.
According to police, "Keeping a Gambling Place" is connected to the legal definition of a "Gambling Place", which is defined as "any real estate, building, room, tent, vehicle, boat, or other property whatsoever, one of the uses of which is the making or setting of bets, bookmaking, or the conducting of a lottery of the playing of gambling devices."
In total, 26 "8-liner" machines and eight "pay-out" machines were seized, netting officials a total of $64,446. Police say a hearing will be held sometime in the future about the money that was seized.
While none of the suspects were arrested, police say they are continuing to work on the case as an active and ongoing investigation.