A Corpus Christi, TX man who pleaded guilty this hebdomad to operating ii illegal gaming establishments has another problem. He also admitted to conspiring to slip $2.1 one thousand thousand dollars worth of sore armed forces equipment from the US Army.

This included laser run finders, thermic scopes, night vision scopes, dark vision goggles, and laser-aiming devices, according to the DOJ.

From March 2018 to Aug 2019, Nathan Nichols, 46, operated illegal sweepstakes machines at two businesses he owned inward Corpus Christi, Theo’s Bar and Lady Luck.

According to the feds, both properties offered sweepstakes games that cut down maculate of Texas law. Customers at the venues accessed the games via computers and monitors sort of than casino-style equipment.

“The games are software-based and function as traditional slot-machine games, or ‘8-liners.’ However, the process of the slot-machine reels are [sic] simulated on a electronic computer screen out kind of than on mechanical reels. Those playing the machines position bets before for each one spin out and get winnings inwards cash,” the DOJ said.

Robbing Ft. Hood

When federal investigators searched Nichols’ rest home inward July 2021, they found a hoard of proficient equipment which they claim was stolen from the US Army installing at Ft. Hood a month earlier.

According to an Aug 2020 report by 3 News, they also seized several billion dollars, gilded bars, and multiple vehicles, including a Lamborghini, from Nichols and his byplay partners.

The 46-year-old was inwards touch with an case-by-case who they arrogate was responsible for the theft, according to prosecutors. Nichols requested images of the equipment before agreeing to purchase it for resale and listed it on eBay once he had obtained the items.

As division of his plea deal, Nichols agreed to throw overboard $2,185,218.73 inwards proceeds from his crimes. He faces upwardly to five years in prison for each counting of conducting an illegal play business concern and conspiring to steal governing property.

Sentencing has been scheduled for June 21 before US District Judge Nelva Gomez Ramos inwards Houston.

Are 8-Liners Legal in Texas?

Sweepstakes machines are known as 8-liners because of their eighter paylines. They are nominally sound inward TX if they extend tickets that can buoy live redeemed for merchandise as prizes.

That’s because cash prizes are illegal under Lone-Star State play law. To follow with local gaming regulations, prizes must have a in large quantities value of no to a greater extent than $5, or X times the be to recreate the game.

This is based on a 1993 TX Supreme Margaret Court known as the “fuzzy creature exception,” which clarified that amusement games that awarded low-value prizes, the likes of flabby toys or tickets were legal.

Essentially, sweepstakes machines annihilate the stakes to short-circuit local gaming laws. Instead, players are awarded time on the machines for “free” with the purchase of a product.

But some businesses crowd the boundaries of the law, which has resulted in frequent police force raids.

Nichol’s customers placed bets before from each one twist and received winnings inwards cash, making them illegal, according to prosecutors.

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