No single statewide dataset of Texas skill machine seizures by county exists, and our research did not find one. Raids reported in 2025 and 2026 vary widely: 749 machines in Hitchcock (Galveston County), about 80 and then 88 in Laredo (Webb County), 50 in Bexar County and 64 in Round Rock (Williamson County). Harris County, meanwhile, still issues game-room permits.
The gap is striking. In February 2026 the Galveston County Sheriff's Office Organized Crime Task Force served warrants at 20 locations in Hitchcock. Deputies made 33 arrests, including Mayor Chris Armacost, and seized 749 gambling machines, $417,752.82 in cash and 8 firearms, Texas Scorecard reported. About 40 miles north, the Harris County Sheriff's Office Game Room Regulatory Unit still issues, denies, suspends and revokes game-room permits in unincorporated Harris County.
Why there is no statewide scoreboard
A county comparison has to be assembled from agency announcements and local news coverage, and those reports often leave out totals. After Galveston city police searched nine locations on Jan. 6, 2026, for example, the number of eight-liners and the amount of cash seized were not disclosed, according to The Daily News. The figures below are reported seizures. They are not a complete count.
The state legal floor
Texas Penal Code Section 47.01(4) defines a gambling device as a contrivance that, for consideration, gives a player a chance to win something of value, awarded solely or partially by chance. The statute excludes devices made solely for bona fide amusement that award only noncash merchandise, toys or novelties worth no more than 10 times the price of one play or $5, whichever is less. This exclusion is often called the "fuzzy animal" exception. Possession of a gambling device under Section 47.06 is a Class A misdemeanor.
The Texas Comptroller administers coin-operated machine licensing and requires a $60 annual occupation tax permit on each machine available for customer use. Renewals are due by Nov. 30. The Comptroller's coin-op page does not address whether eight-liners are legal.
How Rylie changed the county picture
In City of Fort Worth v. Rylie (No. 02-17-00185-CV), the Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth ruled on remand on March 17, 2022. It held that the operators' eight-liners are unconstitutional lotteries, so Occupations Code Chapter 2153 does not preempt the city's game-room ordinances. The court applied the constitutional elements of chance, consideration and prize, the Texas Civil Justice League explained. TCJL reports that the Texas Supreme Court denied review on Dec. 15, 2023.
What counties can do
Under Local Government Code Chapter 234, Subchapter E, a commissioners court may regulate game rooms. A county that requires a license or permit must charge a $1,000 application fee. Violators face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, the county may sue in district court for an injunction, and operating in violation of the rules is a Class A misdemeanor.
County snapshots
| County | Agency | Date | Reported result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galveston (Hitchcock) | Sheriff's Organized Crime Task Force | Reported Feb. 23, 2026 | 749 machines, 33 arrests |
| Galveston (city) | Galveston Police and partner agencies | Jan. 6, 2026 | 9 locations, 12 arrests, seizures undisclosed |
| Harris | Precinct 4 Constable | March 5, 2026 | More than 80 machines |
| Webb (Laredo) | Laredo Police | Feb. 26 and April 23, 2026 | About 80 machines; 88 machines, 6 arrests |
| Bexar | Sheriff's Organized Crime Division | April 2026 | 50 machines, 3 arrests |
| Williamson (Round Rock) | Round Rock Police, assisted by Tarrant County Sheriff's Game Room Task Force | Jan. 30, 2025 | 64 machines |
Galveston County. Commissioners repealed game-room licenses and banned operation in unincorporated areas on June 23, 2026, citing Rylie, The Daily News reported. The measure passed on the consent agenda without discussion and took effect immediately. The ordinance states there is "no constitutional statutory grounds for the county to lawfully permit the operation of game rooms." In the Hitchcock case, the mayor and at least five others were charged with engaging in organized criminal activity. Others face misdemeanor gambling charges. Charges are allegations, not convictions. In the separate Galveston city raids, Police Chief Douglas Balli linked the operation to tips about narcotics and other crimes connected to game rooms.
Harris County. The county runs a permit system, and constables also conduct raids. On March 5, 2026, Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman's office seized more than 80 machines at a strip mall off FM 1960 West, KPRC 2 reported.
Webb County. Laredo police seized about 80 machines in the 2300 block of Jacaman St. on Feb. 26, 2026 (KGNS). On April 23, a raid on an amusement center on McPherson Rd. and a home led to the seizure of 88 amusement redemption machines. Six people, including the owner, were arrested on gambling promotion and organized criminal activity charges (KGNS).
Bexar County. Sheriff's deputies recovered 50 machines at 443 W. Hildebrand Ave. Three people were arrested on charges including gambling promotion, gambling device possession and organized crime, and eight others were cited (KSAT).
Tarrant and Williamson counties. The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office Game Room Task Force helped Round Rock police seize 64 machines at Sky Digital Lounge (My Texas Daily). The case shows a county unit working outside its own county.
Hidalgo County. As of February 2024, the Sheriff's Office had carried out five game-room raids since August 2023, with 50 total arrests (KRGV).
Repeat raids and recirculated machines
A May 28, 2026 KPRC 2 investigation found that a North Harris County location raided in February had also been raided the previous September. KPRC reported that "there are law enforcement jurisdictions that auction them off" instead of destroying seized machines. Defense attorney Rick Detoto told the station: "I've never seen, in my experience, anyone go to jail for these 8-liners."
Local revenue at stake
The Daily News reported that Hitchcock received up to $900,000 from game rooms, about 12% of city revenue, and that La Marque collected about $667,960 from coin-operated machine licenses. The paper also reported roughly 15 game rooms in unincorporated Galveston County in 2019 and no active county permits before the repeal.
Statewide legislation
SB 517 (89th Legislature, Regular Session), authored by Sen. Middleton with coauthors Hall and King, would increase penalties for gambling offenses. It passed the Senate on May 8, 2025. Its last recorded action is "Received from the Senate by the House." Sen. Bob Hall told KPRC 2: "There is no reason for a gambling machine to exist in Texas."
What operators should take from this
These points are editorial observations, not legal requirements:
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A county's position can change overnight. Galveston County's repeal took effect immediately.
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A county permit or a Comptroller license is not a legal determination about any machine.
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Enforcement comes from sheriffs, constables, city police and task forces, sometimes working across county lines. The Texas State Law Library directs people who suspect an illegal gambling device to their county sheriff.
If your next step is supplier diligence or a contract comparison, our vendor comparison checklist helps you record your questions and evidence. It does not provide legal approval.
Related reading
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What Makes a Skill Game 'Skill'? The Predominance Test Explained
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How to Vet Skill Machine Manufacturer Compliance Claims: A Texas-First Checklist
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Texas Gambling Device Definition: What Counts Under Penal Code §47.01(4)
Sources
Reporting is for information, not legal advice. A vendor listing or the term skill game does not establish a machine's legality in any jurisdiction.
AI assistance was used in preparing this article. Consult primary sources and qualified counsel for legal decisions.