I’m writing regarding the amendment passed last week to the ordinance regulating game rooms in the city of Odessa. The game room issue has been widely debated over the past couple of years among acquaintances and the media, including Kim Smith’s articles in the OA. Everyone has the right to their opinion, but I wish to provide the perspective of an Odessan native who approves of the city council’s decision.
To be clear, I do not support excessive government control over our personal lives, nor am I against legalized gambling. As long as they aren’t harming others, what people do with their own time and money should be their own business. While I personally may not like gambling, I wouldn’t attempt to keep anyone else from this pastime in situations when it is legal. Unfortunately, what’s going on in many of these game rooms is not lawful. Illegal gambling may seem to be punished excessively, especially since receiving any prize worth over $5 can result in a Class C misdemeanor, but taking part in this illegal and unregulated activity affects more than just the gambler and the gambler’s family.
As with any business partaking in illegal activity, game rooms that offer unlawful gambling are unlikely to report other crimes on or around the premises. Even if they are victims, they will avoid calling law enforcement to prevent light from being shed on their own activities. These actions affect everyone around these establishments. Police departments across the state have noted increased crimes relating to game rooms, including drug-related activity, theft, prostitution, human trafficking, and even murder in some areas. We civilians do not see everything that happens behind the scenes of these businesses, but it affects us nonetheless.
For this reason, I believe the city council’s decision is a significant step in the right direction. While it may not seem like much, I’m relieved to know that game rooms will no longer be able to operate within city limits after their permits expire. I also believe this will help the OPD in the long run, as the resources allocated to game rooms can be redistributed elsewhere. When gambling is legalized in the state of Texas, I’ll be more than happy to watch as a well-regulated and governed gambling industry helps bring extra revenue to our state. Until then, I hope it stays out of our town.
Sincerely,
Hadassah Hethcoat
Odessa
