Useful Information: Texas Gambling Laws Texas Legislator’s Positions on Gambling   Other Resources Frequently Asked Questions Printed Resources: Texas Gambling Articles Online Gambling Articles The Financial Benefits of Legalized Gambling in Texas Legalize Texas Gambling: Blog  Email List Advertising Information   Legalize Texas Gambling: Blog  Email List Advertising Information   Q: What punishment does a bar owner face under Texas law for operating eight-liners in his bar? A: Under Texas law, he faces prosecution for three separate crimes: Keeping a Gambling Establishment, Promotion of Gambling and, Possession of Gambling Paraphernalia. All three are Class A misdemeanors punishable by up to 1 year in jail and $4,000.00 in fines for each conviction. The other concern he should consider is that he could find himsellf facing a RICO charge.  The police like to make the crime seem bigger than it ought to be by charging everyone who is in anyway involved in the businesses so they can claim it is an 'organized' crime that falls under Federal RICO laws.  I do not know the extent of punishment under RICO, but I understand it is far tougher than Texas law. About LTG