Summary

Under current law, gambling devices which pay less than $5 are legal./1/ This bill eliminates this exemption.

It also makes the exemptions to the gambling law an affirmative defense, moving the burden of proof to the defendant in criminal cases /2/

The bill also limits the value of non-cash prizes that can be won from any gaming machine to $50.

Background

News reports have speculated that 8-liners nominally in place for less than $5 payouts are often used for illegal gambling purposes./3/

References

/1/ Casinogamblingweb.com "Laredo, Texas is Seeing a Rise in Illegal 8-Liner Slots" 10/30/06
/2/ Rockwell County Herald Banner "Flynn preparing for next legislative session" 11/30/06
/3/ WFAA News 8 Dallas "Illegal gambling continues after rash of raids" 11/14/06