Gaming, payout machines seized from 8 convenience stores in Bryan

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Gambling machines from 8 different convenience stores in Bryan were removed by police officers on Wednesday, as first reported by News 3′s Rusty Surette.

“One of our Special Investigation Division units executed 8 evidentiary search warrants on stores for Keeping a Gambling place. Machines were seized along with payout machines, said Bryan police spokesman Officer Seth Waller.

No arrests were made linked to the investigations, said Officer Waller, but the investigations are ongoing and it’s unclear if additional stores will be subject to similar seizures.

The stores that were targeted in Wednesday’s operations are:

•Town Center Food Mart, 3151 Briarcrest

•Prince Food Mart, 103 S Coulter Ave

•Rustlers Den, 2411 E 29th St

•Nicky’s Food Mart, 601 W 28th St

•4 Corners Market, 3239 Wilkes

•Big Gas Truck Stop, 2890 N Harvey Mitchell

•Sammy Food Mart, 3500 E 29th St

•Valero, 1403 Briarcrest

The following news release was shared on Thursday from Bryan police with additional information:

On 10/23/2024, The Bryan Police Department’s Directed Deployment Team (DDT) executed eight (8) evidentiary search warrants throughout the City of Bryan in reference to illegal gambling machines inside local convenience stores. Based on citizen complaints received, the DDT began an investigation. In order to verify that offenses were being committed, undercover officers were utilized inside the stores where criminal cases were made for the offense of “Gambling.” During the undercover operations, officers learned of additional gambling locations at other convenience stores. Those officers also verified that the offense of “gambling” was being committed at those stores as well. All eight (8) search warrants accused the suspects of the offense of “Keeping a Gambling Place” and ordered the removal of the gambling machines and the pay-out machines and the contents there within. A total of twenty-six (26) “8-liner” machines along with 8 “pay-out” machines were seized. A total of $64, 446.00 in US Currency was removed from the machines. A property hearing will be held at a later date in reference to the monies seized. Multiple units within the Bryan Police Department assisted in this operation along with the Texas Comptroller’s Office. No arrests were made, however, this investigation is still active and ongoing at this time. The possession of an “8-liner” machine itself is not illegal. However, the legal issue arises when these machines are used for gambling purposes, specifically when they are set to pay out monetary rewards. This is where the offense of “Keeping a Gambling Place” comes into play. “Gambling place” means any real estate, building, room, tent, vehicle, boat, or other property whatsoever, one of the uses of which is the making or settling of bets, bookmaking, or the conducting of a lottery or playing of gambling devices.