CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Leaders with the Nueces County Sheriff's Office are looking to end the game room administrator position, a role that pays over $100,000 a year, due to a low number of game room applications being submitted.
Nueces County Sheriff J.C. Hooper said that the number of applications does relate to game room busts in our area. He said that criminals are becoming wiser to the rules, which is why he's seeing a lower number of applications being submitted.
"It's not profitable unless you're breaking the law," Hooper said.
He said that since game room applications are low, there's no need in having such a high-paying position.
"A majority of the responsibilities were processing the applications, not nearly as many applications coming in and the work just isn't there for a high-paying position like that," Hooper said.
The sheriff said that the game room ordinance that was created two years ago has helped give law enforcement a larger scope on cracking down on illegal gambling, however there are still criminals who try to squeeze through the cracks.
"We're seeing a few more of those," he said. "They're not even trying to get an application, they're trying to do their illegal activities without even bringing any type of attention to themselves."
It's something Bishop Police Chief Edward Day said he sees a lot in rural counties.
"If they know that their business plan is to do something illegal, the permitting process itself opens them up to more liability," Day said.
He said the game room ordinance has helped bring his community's game room activity down to zero percent.
"We had nine operating within the city limits, so from that time frame until now, somewhere in the late 2022 time range till now, is kind of where what we saw nine to zero," Day said.
Hooper said that the duties and responsibilities of the game room administrator will be absorbed into the game room operation's department.
More from 3News on KIIITV.com:
- Remembering the life of Caleb Harris
- Long-awaited growth on the way to city's westside
- Family and friends honor Jared Hunt after fatal boating accident in Port A
- Operation Safe Return helped thousands prepare for new school year
- TAMU-CC nursing students hit the road and take their lessons to summer camp
- West Nile Virus-infected mosquitoes found in Corpus Christi
- Here's why there are so many birds near Moore Plaza recently
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for your daily news and exclusive extended interviews.
Do you have a news tip? Tell 3!
Email tell3@kiiitv.com so we can get in touch with you about your story should we have questions or need more information. We realize some stories are sensitive in nature. Let us know if you'd like to remain anonymous.