{"id":473418,"date":"2026-10-22T13:48:33","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T13:48:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/473418\/"},"modified":"2026-10-22T13:48:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T13:48:33","slug":"san-antonios-gas-station-slot-machines-are-here-to-stay-at-least-for-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/473418\/","title":{"rendered":"San Antonio’s gas station slot machines are here to stay \u2014 at least, for now"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"A pair of eight-liner machines stand ready for players at a downtown San Antonio gas station. Credit: Michael Karlis<\/p>\n

City Council\u2019s Governance Committee on Wednesday voted to delay action on a proposal to ban gas station slot machines, commonly known as eight-liners.<\/p>\n

The motion, approved 5-1, sent the Council Consideration Request<\/a> (CCR) filed by District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo to the body\u2019s Public Safety Committee for further evaluation.<\/p>\n

If Castillo\u2019s CCR is revised and given a green light by the Public Safety Committee, the Governance Committee will reconsider the issue within 60 days of its approval.<\/p>\n

Beyond the ban, Castillo\u2019s proposal seeks to strengthen enforcement of existing gambling statutes and increase inspections of gaming machines. The plan also would prioritize community education and reporting on illegal gambling activities.<\/p>\n

\u201cSan Antonio should not allow a legal gray area to undermine the intent of our gambling laws,\u201d Castillo said in a statement when she filed her CCR<\/a> in early September. \u201cWe need to establish a clear rule and enforce it consistently in order to protect our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even so, some on the committee, including District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, said council should focus on educating business owners about the machines rather than passing new ordinances. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf there are already laws on the books, then we just need to enforce them,\u201d McKee-Rodriguez said. \u201cWe should be educating business owners and residents about what is prohibited, identify where violations are occurring and holding operators accountable when there is evidence of illegal activity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Texas laws<\/a> on eight-liners are murky at best, City Attorney Andy Segovia explained during the meeting. Operators typically argue the machines qualify for an exception originally intended for amusement games. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an issue that\u2019s pretty heavily litigated,\u201d Segovia said. \u201cIt usually turns on whether the machines are a game of skill versus chance or a combination thereof. The latest Attorney General opinion suggests that if there is any element of chance, it is a gambling device, which is illegal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nearly a dozen Texas cities have outlawed the machines, which are often installed in low-income areas.<\/p>\n

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