According to Tim Gallagher, Assistant District Attorney in Dallas County, Texas, since county officials started prosecuting gaming venues and confiscating video slot machines five years ago, it has become almost impossible to find any slots parlors operating out in the open.
Although video slot machine operators have claimed that they could run businesses legally as long as they didn't pay cash and, instead, awarded gift certificates or other prizes worth $5 or less, all of the businesses busted were found to be operating illegally.
However, prosecutors are no longer interested in seeing illegal slots operators in jail. Since slots cases are considered rather complicated to investigate and their judicial process can last for months, nowadays, the prosecution is willing to agree on plea deals.
Over the years, slots parlors have learned how to hide their venues behind the mask of innocence. For example, one claimed to run a mobile-phone business. Despite the fact that the official attack on illegally operated slots parlors has significantly decreased their number, they still operate.
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