County Attorney Rick Miller said he is working with local law enforcement officials to rid the county of “coin pusher” gambling machines.
The machines call for players to drop coins in hopes of knocking coins, tokens, jewelry or other prizes off rotating shelves.
“Local businesses have been victimized by sleazy vendors, usually from out of state, who tell them these machines are legal, and those merchants neglect to check with an attorney or the authorities to see if they are legal,” Miller said.
Over the next week, local police officers will be contacting businesses with “coin pusher” games and asking them to remove the devices.
If the businesses do not heed the warning, Miller said criminal charges would be filed.
To promote gambling or possess gambling equipment is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $4,000 fine and/or one year in jail.
The “coin pusher” mach-ines are relatively new in the county, which like other counties in Texas has been aggressive at prosecuting those who perpetrate eight-liner machines.
There is an exception in Texas law for “coin pusher” machines. The “fuzzy animal” exception allows a reward of merchandise such as prizes, toys or novelties with a wholesale value from a single play on the machine of no more than 10 times the amount charged to play or $5, whichever is less.
promer@temple-telegram.com
