In session Tuesday morning, the Brownwood City Council approved, on First Reading, an Ordinance pertaining to Game Rooms and Amusement Redemption Machines.  The Ordinance provides for a penalty not to exceed $500 for conviction of any violation.

According to the City, the permitting department has seen an increase in inquiries into the rules and regulations pertaining to the operation of Game Rooms inside the city limits of Brownwood.  Currently, the City does not have an Ordinance that speaks directly to the permitting or operation of such Game Rooms.  The Texas Penal Code, Chapter 47, makes most forms of gambling illegal including betting money or anything else of value on the outcome of a card game or any game of chance.

Local law enforcement has investigated and shut down approximately 10 game rooms within the city limits of Brownwood that were in direct violation of Chapter 47.  There have been two game rooms in Brown County (one in Early and one at Lake Brownwood) where firearms were involved in incidents.

“The city staff presented to Council today the idea of having a game room ordinance which basically gives regulations on how game rooms should operate legally.  Right now, we don’t have any ordinances giving those regulations,” said Emily Crawford, City Manager.

She also noted that other cities and counties have adopted similar game room ordinances.

“Ordinances that provide more strict regulations to help these businesses operate legally according to the state statute, so that’s what we presented today, and Council did approve on first reading,” Crawford said.

Some of the other cities and counties that have adopted similar game room ordinances include the City of Ballinger, City of Coleman, City of Victoria, City of Odessa, City of Corpus Christi, Harris County, Bell County and Tarrant County.

The Ordinance will be back on the Council agenda in two weeks for second reading and final approval.