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Eight-Liners' Popularity, Problems Grow14 February 2003KINGSVILLE, Texas – As reported by the Corpus Christi Caller-Times: "After two years of playing eight-liners in Kingsville and Victoria, 51-year-old Thelma Wallace said she knows how to cut her losses and make her winnings work for her. "Wallace said she sets a $20 limit every day she plays. The largest jackpot she has won is $200. "…Kingsville isn't becoming Atlantic City, but it has hundreds of eight-liners and the number is growing. "…`I don't consider it gambling,' Wallace said. `To me, it's entertainment." "…But researchers and counselors say playing eight-liners can be addictive, especially to a person with a compulsive personality. "And despite stiff permit fees and an ongoing review of the legality of eight-liners by the Texas Supreme Court, the popularity of eight-liners appears to be growing in the Coastal Bend. "…In December, when the permit-fees ordinance went into effect in Kingsville, the city collected more than $136,000 from eight-liner game room operators and city officials say fees have not deterred new operators. "…Eight-liner game rooms look like video arcades. The blinking lights and the computerized bleeps and buzzers drown out sounds of players asking game room attendants to make change for their $10, $20 and sometimes $50 bills. They often offer free non-alcoholic drinks and snacks. "…To some, the atmosphere resembles a slot-machine room or area at a casino. "…Sharon Lichtenstein, executive director of the Texas Council on Problems and Compulsive Gambling, which is based in Austin, said the escapism gamblers feel is part of an addiction. "`The zone-out and escape gambler is very prone to play the eight-liner machines,' Lichtenstein said…" |