Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Gambling -- most of it illegal -- has increasingly been thriving in Laredo,
Texas, reported the San Antonio Express-News. Under Texas law, game rooms
that feature machines known as eight-liners can award only up to $5 in
prizes. But many places in Laredo offer up cash prizes of $40 or more. The
Express-News reported that there are 2,423 licensed eight-liner machines in
Laredo. That's one for every 43 Laredo residents over 21. Although police
have reportedly admitted that most places dole out cash prizes,
investigations into the matter have been slowed by a lack of interest or
complaints from city residents. Also, there has been little political
pressure to step up the efforts, the newspaper said. The increase in illegal
gambling is making it harder for law-abiding game rooms. Operators of such
game rooms have complained of the slow investigation efforts.