Mid City Times

The City has finalized amendments to its zoning and licensing regulations, effectively banning amusement redemption machines, also known as eight-liners or gaming machines, and game rooms. This decision concludes a decade-long legal process.

Earlier this year, the Texas Supreme Court declined to review a Second Court of Appeals order that deemed these gaming devices unconstitutional lotteries. This denial enabled the City to enforce the ban on these devices and associated game rooms.

In 2014, in response to community concerns, the City implemented stringent regulations for game rooms and amusement redemption machines. The City faced legal challenges under claims that its ordinances were overridden by state law. However, after various court rulings, the Texas Supreme Court supported the City's stance that if eight-liners are unconstitutional lotteries, then its ordinances are not pre-empted by state law.

On October 15, the City Council repealed licensing provisions for these machines and game rooms through an ordinance amendment. In November, the Zoning Commission recommended a text amendment to clarify that game rooms are prohibited in all zoning districts without exception. The City Council approved this amendment on December 10.

The new regulations will take effect on January 21, 2025. Violators could face fines up to $2,000 per day for each device present on their premises and may also be subject to injunctions or criminal prosecution.

The City's Development Services Department plans to notify business owners operating game rooms or possessing these machines. They will have 45 days from notification to comply with the new rules.