In a news conference Tuesday morning in the Brown County Courthouse, Brown County Judge Dr. Paul Lilly was joined by Lieutenant Scott Bird of the Brown County Sheriff’s Department.  They discussed ongoing issues law enforcement has with business establishments known as gaming rooms or gaming halls, mentioning illegal gambling, racketeering, narcotics, crimes against property and crimes against persons.

In early September, a meeting was held involving the County Judge, County Sheriff and Police Chiefs of Brownwood, Early, Bangs and Lake Brownwood Lake Patrol to discuss ongoing complaints against several gaming rooms in Brown County.

“I’m hesitant to infringe on anyone’s right to operate a business, however, these businesses continue to cause problems.  They cause problems with regard to regular crime and with regard to COVID issues.  It’s not a good situation,” Lilly said.

A few months ago, a gaming room at Lake Brownwood was the site of five arrests with approximately 45 people in the establishment at the time, officials said, with those working there being the ones arrested.

“There was a gaming room with five arrests made from that operation and I believe approximately 50 gaming machines that were in there being utilized.  Not only is there illegal gambling going on in those places but there is also the use of narcotics and trade of narcotics in those places so that is why it’s a priority to our Sheriff,” said Lt. Bird.

Legally there can not be exchange of money in gaming rooms, Lt. Bird said.

“People are in there basically gambling like you do in Vegas and making money at these machines.  This one was paying out cash,” Lt. Bird said, which is against the law in the State of Texas.

There are game rooms located in Brownwood, Bangs, Early and in the county that are currently still in operation.

“Just like anybody else that’s breaking the law, we are here to enforce the laws of Texas and we will do so.  Those game rooms are illegal.  I know that’s their business, but they knew that when they got into that business that it was illegal,” Lt. Bird said.

Going forward, Judge Lilly said he will soon draft an Ordinance and present it to the Commissioner’s Court within the next two weeks.

“It matters not what any individual city within Brown County does after that point.  If the Commissioners adopt a rule prohibiting any of those establishments countywide, that includes within the city limits, it’s within the entire borders of Brown County.”

Lilly said in accordance with the police powers provided Commissioners Court, under Section 234.133 of the Texas Local Government Code, the Sheriff and the Chiefs of Police recommend that the Commissioner’s Court adopt an Ordinance restricting the number of gaming establishments within the county borders to zero.