New rules for 8-liners: Willacy regulations aim to control game rooms

RAYMONDVILLE — After years of residents’ complaints, Willacy County commissioners yesterday approved an ordinance setting regulations to control eight-liner arcades.

Commissioners worked with District Attorney Annette Hinojosa to draft the regulations to control the game rooms in the county’s unincorporated areas.

After a meeting yesterday, Sheriff Larry Spence was reading the regulations, some of which commissioners apparently revised during an executive session meeting.

“We wanted something with teeth,” Spence said. “It’s good we finally have something to work with.”

As part of a grandfather clause, the ordinance allows eight game rooms to continue to operate in Sebastian but requires the arcades to apply for permits.

The grandfather clause also allows three current applicants to continue their working on toward receiving permits to open game rooms in Sebastian.

Spence said he believes the three applicants’ permits have been approved.

Despite the grandfathered game rooms, the ordinance limits the number of eight-liner arcades to five.

Spence said the county apparently aims at reaching that number.

“That’s the number they’re shooting for,” he said.

Spence said the ordinance helps law enforcement crack down on game rooms whose violations would not allow them to reopen.

Violations could include running unpermitted eight-liner machines or operating after hours.

“You can look for violations — any type of violation could shut them down,” Spence said. “Once shut down, they wouldn’t be able to re-open.”

The ordinance requires new game rooms to be located at least 300 feet from schools, churches and homes.

Meanwhile, the ordinance requires new eight-liner arcades to be located at least 2,500 feet from other game rooms, on highway frontage roads with direct access to highways.

The ordinance requires game rooms to limit operations between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

In Sebastian, residents have complained game rooms operate as late as 3 a.m., blaring noise and blasting glaring light into homes.

The ordinance sets fines of $10,000 per day for each violation.

About two years ago, game rooms opened in Sebastian

By late last year, as many as 10 were in operation, some about 100 feet from homes and a Head Start.

What are the rules?

Grandfathers eight Sebastian game rooms

Requires at least 300-foot distances between new game rooms and schools, churches and homes

Requires new eight-liner arcades to be located at least 2,500 feet from other game rooms, on highway frontage roads with direct access to highways

Limits operations between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Sets fines of $10,000 per day for each violation