SCHULENBURG — The Schulenburg Police Department raided Shorthorn Express, Seven Day Deals and Pilot Travel Center on July 21. The raid yielded 17 gambling machines and $29,210 from a search warrant for illegal gambling.
Schulenburg Police Chief Troy Brenek said that gambling machines themselves are not illegal, but paying out cash on games of chance is what makes them illegal. Seven Day Deals says that the machines were not in some secret room but in full view of anyone entering the store. Pilot Travel Center has had the machines for four years. Its question was, instead of a raid, why not issue a written notice or a ticket?
After evidence surfaced that cash payouts were given out, Schulenburg police began an undercover operation where the officers received cash payouts. According to the Fayette County District Attorney's Office, the charges against the three stores were still pending as of Aug. 5.
