SAN ANTONIO – The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office has raided and shut down a West Side gaming room that investigators say was issuing illegal payouts to customers.
On Thursday, investigators descended upon Silver City, a storefront business located near Highway 90 and Military Drive, and seized 44 gaming machines as well as more than $19,000 in cash, according to a news release from BCSO.
Investigators seized 44 gaming machines from the property, located near Highway 90 and Military Drive.
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Those arrested have been identified as Olga Sifuentes Rodriguez, 66, and Ecstasy Leyva, 21. Sheriff Javier Salazar mentioned that the owner of the business, who was not in custody at the time, is also expected to face criminal charges.
Salazar explained that gaming rooms aren’t necessarily illegal in Texas; it all depends on how they handle payouts to winners.
“Any time that somebody’s paid out more than 10 times the amount of what they bet, then it becomes illegal,” Salazar clarified.
He further explained that some businesses attempt to bypass the law by giving out non-monetary prizes, which can later be exchanged for cash. For example, in the case of Silver City, they were allegedly distributing beads that could be sold for money at a nearby store.
The sheriff stated that this raid was part of a broader initiative to combat illegal gambling in Bexar County. This particular operation was prompted by a tip-off regarding Silver City.
“Whether you’re in the unincorporated areas or in the city, our organized crime group will continue monitoring these operations and taking action when necessary,” Salazar emphasized.
