Illegal gambling operation uncovered in Rockwall

(ROCKWALL COUNTY, TX – Jan. 14, 2016) Rockwall County Sheriff Harold Eavenson and investigators uncovered an illegal gambling operation yesterday afternoon in a local business located in the 4400 block of State Highway 276 in Rockwall.

Deputies seized 36 total gambling machines known as “Eight-liners,” similar to real slot machines only bigger. According to Sheriff Harold Eavenson, the Special Crimes Department was first notified four months ago by Rockwall deputies about heavy traffic being spotted at the facility late at night.

Eavenson said the business – known as Alibi’s – operated from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. , mostly on the weekends, and that word-of-mouth was the primary way of attracting folks to the facility as it had no signage or anything marking it.

While no arrests were made yesterday, investigators said they will next look into the magnitude of the illegal gambling operation to see how widespread it might be within the county.

“It’s good for the community to know that that element was here, that we investigated and did something about it,” Eavenson said. “And we will do that again next time if they show up here.”

By Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News staff writer.

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