LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Lubbock County Commissioners approved new regulations Monday for licensed game rooms, including limits on operating hours and permit transfers.
Under the new rules, licensed game rooms may only operate during weekday business hours — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Commissioner Mike Dalby called the change a common sense regulation.
Game room permits can no longer be transferred or divided under the updated rules.
The county is also forming a “Game Room Hearing Board” to oversee permit disputes. The board will include residents and county officials.
Dalby cited concerns about criminal activity connected to game rooms.
“Prostitution… drug trafficking… sex trafficking in these game rooms – that’s not what we want in West Texas. That’s not what I want. That’s not what our citizens want, and if I can do something to make it more restrictive, I’m darn sure going to do it,” Dalby said.
The District Attorney’s Office said current regulations have already helped cut down on crime at game rooms.
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