Mid City Times

After a decade of legal disputes, the Texas Supreme Court has declined to review a decision by the Second Court of Appeals. This decision declares that gaming devices known as eight-liners are unconstitutional lotteries, enabling Fort Worth to potentially ban them.

In 2014, Fort Worth established strict regulations for game rooms in response to concerns from residents. The city faced a lawsuit claiming that its ordinances were overridden by state law. After initial rulings in both trial and appellate courts, the Texas Supreme Court supported Fort Worth's argument that its ordinances could stand if eight-liners were deemed unconstitutional lotteries. The case was sent back to the Court of Appeals to determine the constitutionality of these machines.

Following last week's ruling, Fort Worth issued a statement: “The City is gratified by the Court of Appeals decision about its game-room ordinances. The Court found that eight-liner gaming devices are unconstitutional devices.”

Fort Worth is now working on revising its zoning and licensing rules to prohibit eight-liners, amusement redemption machines, and game rooms. The City Council will consider an amendment to the City Code on October 15, with further discussions on zoning ordinance amendments scheduled for December 10.