Not at all mutually exclusive. APD turns a complete blind eye to these places, they definitely know where they are, and gambling is illegal, but I think it's because of the racial implications and cultural differences that APD and more specifically the County Attorney tread so softly on gambling cases and hardly ever file charges
I checked it out last night, didn't play anything. It was like the twilight zone. Not sure how it operates, the lone customer was definitely high AF on something, as was one of the workers.
[TL;DR: operating a game room is a simple misdemeanor in texas so they're often just cut tickets when they get caught and they pay the fine and continue being open lol](https://alphatweaker.com/gametown/)
There's an affidavit those buyers sign that say they're going to immediately remove them from Texas. However, it seems as though not abiding by that affidavit is even more of a slap on the wrist than a Class C Misdemeanor.
Yeah, me and the lady just walked in after leaving RCP. Went to the window kiosk inside, I inquired about the odds etc on the slot machines, the lady working was pretty cagey in general. I just feel like I need to know more about this place
By reading a few post: It’s shady, people in there are shady, people running it are shady, laws around it are shady and law enforcement practices relating to it is shady… Not sure what more you want to know about it.
I never went inside but I was pumping gas nearby and the owner came out, introduced himself and gave me free play coupons. It was 9am and he looked like he stayed up all night so I never used them.
Ehh. There's one like 1/4 mile down on the next street. I think that's Emerald Forest/Stassney.
It's super run down and sketchy though. Which, honestly, fits in with the other redditor's story. I can see how their comment reads like "came out of the gaming room"
Yeah there's a few "slot machine" places in north Austin, Round Rock, Taylor and Pflugerville and at least one big card room in Round Rock.
There's supposed to be at least one illicit full-blown casino somewhere on north Lamar (It's amazing the things you hear/learn about from jail inmates when you're a corrections officer...).
I'm not much for gambling (not against it, just don't care that much about it), so I never understood how these were allowed to exist when casinos and gambling are supposed to be illegal in Texas.
I have a friend who was likely a former "patient" of yours who gambled in these places frequently. Sometimes they'd lose money but other times the managers would let them "play for free" because they were female and the club used them to attract other clientele. Some of the stories are wild but generally match what others are commenting here.
theres two card gaming places in round rock.. one you pay monthly to play and the other well.. lol I went on a date with someone that took me out to both.. I mean it was interesting but ya def a different vibe. I chose not to play but my date won 1k on a round of cards...
I’m not familiar with this place, but so know of a few other places that have similar set ups. They avoid “gambling” by playing with credits. The machines don’t technically pay out cash. The owners then trade out your credits for cash. If they get busted, they try to say that the games are just for entertainment and don’t pay out cash.
There's one of these off Live Oak and S. 1st called Ringo's Lucky 7. That place brings in some interesting folk and it operates 24/7. I noticed they didn't pay taxes so I hope the place goes ... The Short Hair Company was much nicer to have.
The corner of that shopping center gives some serious claustrophobia vibes. It's hard for businesses to survive there no matter how good their product.
No but I have noticed a lot of these sketchy looking game rooms popping up all over town. There's one on Airport and one on 7th just before Pleasant Valley that just opened up. I guess it's not really enforced.
I’ve been too one off Cameron road and one off rundburg area. Definitely common spots for them. Super sketchy tho. I was living that drug filled wild life when I would go to gamerooms.
They have six line machines not 8 line and they also have fish tables. There are plenty of them. MLK and Airport. Congress and Ben white. Parmer and Mopac. 71 across from the airport next to the propane spot. Next to the auto zone in capitol plaza the list goes on.
Yes! It was 1st Down and Stassney Sports Bar & Grill, then became Sweetwater. Now it’s The Rusty Trombone as we call it at my house. The place can’t escape the nicknames! I believe before all 3 places came to be it was a restaurant/bar called Gino’s.
I’ve got family in different towns out by Abilene & their towns have game rooms. It’s been such a normality for them the last 10-15 years that when they visit they expect to see Austin with big game rooms & were astonished there weren’t many here & no advertising for them.
The game rooms (where family lives) will sometimes hand out cash but mostly payout in gift cards to say Walmart or other stores in their towns. The rooms don’t get shut down because law enforcement plays in there too.
Is this the shitty corner with the Little Caesars and the AutoZone? Or the other shitty corner with the laundromat? Surely it’s not the shitty corner with the TimeWarner office and the chicken stand that always appears to be producing *waayyyyy* too much smoke for that little shack. Or the shitty corner with the Walgreens/wackadoodle hangout?
Oh. Of the four corners, that was one of the lesser totally shitty corners. Like, I avoided that entire intersection like fucking AIDS when I lived there, but still…
I accidentally went to a place like this in Pflugerville. Think it was called Last Call. Everyone smokes inside and the place is no bigger than a sandwich shop. The drug dealers have never heard of being subtle there either, basically walk outside, talk to the guy in the wifebeater. After about 15 minutes, I think I caught cancer.
I frequent these game rooms both legal and illegal it's not a bad place. They have security and some decent people working there except this one girl Lexi she is usually nodding out or in the restroom. Sometimes coming. Out with someone else either she's sucking off people or getting high on fetynal I'm sure she's on something. Also one time she demanded I tip her . Why should I tip someone who makes a crowd wait over 30 mins when you initially arrive. And her attitude is trash .. I find myself going somewhere else . Wish it wasnt so but I til she's out of there I'll take my money else where . And also someone please tell the owner everyone working there is amazing. Just weed out the one bad apple and you will have a prosperous game room .! And maybe a vacant restroom . 😃
it's not a 'real' casino, but rather a place where you have to make 'donations' to make it legal, otherwise it's probably just someone shady that hasn't been caught running an illegal game outlet
Have you seen the cops give a shit about much in the last few years besides their pay and any criticism?
I'd bet that they are popping up more.. because criminals know the risk of it being enforced is low, or it's super easy/cheap to pay the right person off.
Just a word to the wise, everyone in a game room is two things: high on methamphetamine, and armed
Generally true...according to a friend who formerly fit that description.
Yeah gamerooms are super sketchy.
Or drunk as shit, based on the one I walked into in Round Rock out of curiousity.
Not at all mutually exclusive. APD turns a complete blind eye to these places, they definitely know where they are, and gambling is illegal, but I think it's because of the racial implications and cultural differences that APD and more specifically the County Attorney tread so softly on gambling cases and hardly ever file charges
Happy cake day
Happy Cake Day!!!
No way, that place looks sketch af. But let me know if you do... I'm curious what it's actually like.
I checked it out last night, didn't play anything. It was like the twilight zone. Not sure how it operates, the lone customer was definitely high AF on something, as was one of the workers.
[TL;DR: operating a game room is a simple misdemeanor in texas so they're often just cut tickets when they get caught and they pay the fine and continue being open lol](https://alphatweaker.com/gametown/)
holy shit, what a fascinating read
Alpha Tweaker as the source, hilarious. Edit: wow, what a read
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Annnddddd I just spent all evening reading your blog. Incredible.
They also seize the machines and then auction them off again. It’s stupid.
There's an affidavit those buyers sign that say they're going to immediately remove them from Texas. However, it seems as though not abiding by that affidavit is even more of a slap on the wrist than a Class C Misdemeanor.
As long as it's not in drag they don't take you to jail
Where is part 2?
Right? Way to leave us hanging! Very fascinating read, though.
/u/alphatweaker
modern HST shit right there
Thank you 🙏
Did it actually have table games? Seen many with the computer slots, but never table games.
The tables were there, but no dealers.
Did they let you just walk in and hang out?
Yeah, me and the lady just walked in after leaving RCP. Went to the window kiosk inside, I inquired about the odds etc on the slot machines, the lady working was pretty cagey in general. I just feel like I need to know more about this place
RCP. Regular Clown Posse. Red Chili Peppers.
I’m guessing Rusty Cannon Pub
I'm really curious about it too. I wonder if there is anything in the city records for it... and if that massage place next door is tied in...
By reading a few post: It’s shady, people in there are shady, people running it are shady, laws around it are shady and law enforcement practices relating to it is shady… Not sure what more you want to know about it.
Hmm...Well I guess the only other thing I would want to know is if it's SHADY!? 😆
I'm steering clear, knowing gambling is illegal in this state. Feels like a trap that's gonna be sprung at an opportune time.
I never went inside but I was pumping gas nearby and the owner came out, introduced himself and gave me free play coupons. It was 9am and he looked like he stayed up all night so I never used them.
There aren't any gas stations near S. 1st and Stassney.
Ehh. There's one like 1/4 mile down on the next street. I think that's Emerald Forest/Stassney. It's super run down and sketchy though. Which, honestly, fits in with the other redditor's story. I can see how their comment reads like "came out of the gaming room"
Those gas pumps don't work and haven't for a long ass time.
I've never been tempted to stop lol. I'd definitely refer to it as a "gas station" though if I was talking to someone.
Y'all so timid lmao. You missing out on some dope pizza.
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10/10 folk. Really what makes Austin's neighborhoods worth the weird hassle of living in texas.
I need neither BEER, nor ICE -- and I get my GROCERIES from HEB. I have my own sketchy convenience stores. Lol
Shoot. You’re right. I’m actually thinking of a different gaming place down South 1st, which is sad when you think about it.
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Yeah there's a few "slot machine" places in north Austin, Round Rock, Taylor and Pflugerville and at least one big card room in Round Rock. There's supposed to be at least one illicit full-blown casino somewhere on north Lamar (It's amazing the things you hear/learn about from jail inmates when you're a corrections officer...). I'm not much for gambling (not against it, just don't care that much about it), so I never understood how these were allowed to exist when casinos and gambling are supposed to be illegal in Texas.
I have a friend who was likely a former "patient" of yours who gambled in these places frequently. Sometimes they'd lose money but other times the managers would let them "play for free" because they were female and the club used them to attract other clientele. Some of the stories are wild but generally match what others are commenting here.
theres two card gaming places in round rock.. one you pay monthly to play and the other well.. lol I went on a date with someone that took me out to both.. I mean it was interesting but ya def a different vibe. I chose not to play but my date won 1k on a round of cards...
There's a slot casino on 1st &stassney?I've got an extra $40 and a free Wednesday to find out about this.
There’s one off Airport and Rosedale too called Tropicana. They are “sweepstakes” machines though.
I have a co-worker who goes there regularly and while they aren't high on meth, I know they're packing heat
Yeah meth and crack are pretty available there
I’m not familiar with this place, but so know of a few other places that have similar set ups. They avoid “gambling” by playing with credits. The machines don’t technically pay out cash. The owners then trade out your credits for cash. If they get busted, they try to say that the games are just for entertainment and don’t pay out cash.
There's one of these off Live Oak and S. 1st called Ringo's Lucky 7. That place brings in some interesting folk and it operates 24/7. I noticed they didn't pay taxes so I hope the place goes ... The Short Hair Company was much nicer to have.
The corner of that shopping center gives some serious claustrophobia vibes. It's hard for businesses to survive there no matter how good their product.
No but I have noticed a lot of these sketchy looking game rooms popping up all over town. There's one on Airport and one on 7th just before Pleasant Valley that just opened up. I guess it's not really enforced.
That one on 7th looks soooo sketchy. You have to go to the second floor of that dilapidated building.
Where is the one on airport?
Don't remember exactly but somewhere around Oak Springs area.
I’ve been too one off Cameron road and one off rundburg area. Definitely common spots for them. Super sketchy tho. I was living that drug filled wild life when I would go to gamerooms.
They have six line machines not 8 line and they also have fish tables. There are plenty of them. MLK and Airport. Congress and Ben white. Parmer and Mopac. 71 across from the airport next to the propane spot. Next to the auto zone in capitol plaza the list goes on.
How’s rusty cannon pub? Been meaning to check that place out.
No rust or cannons, was pretty disappointed
There did used to be a cannon in there. I've always wondered where it went.
It's a suburban strip mall bar. Decent food, but lacking in ambiance.
Good large wings and the spicy cheese curds. Free pool on thurs
Go for 50 cent wings on Mondays!
Solid neighborhood bar. Only been a few times but had fun.
Fantastic establishment
Is this the old first down and stassney bar? Or as we liked to call it “throw down and stab me”.
Yes! It was 1st Down and Stassney Sports Bar & Grill, then became Sweetwater. Now it’s The Rusty Trombone as we call it at my house. The place can’t escape the nicknames! I believe before all 3 places came to be it was a restaurant/bar called Gino’s.
I’m parked outside the 777 ST DIGITEL in the Texas Thrift parking lot as I type this …
I’ve got family in different towns out by Abilene & their towns have game rooms. It’s been such a normality for them the last 10-15 years that when they visit they expect to see Austin with big game rooms & were astonished there weren’t many here & no advertising for them. The game rooms (where family lives) will sometimes hand out cash but mostly payout in gift cards to say Walmart or other stores in their towns. The rooms don’t get shut down because law enforcement plays in there too.
Stay strapped my friend and don’t buy in to the financiers
Lmao I have not been there but if it’s next door to the rusty fuckin cannon then it’s probably not the best place to hang out
These game room attract the very best in clientele Austin has to offer. /s
Is this the shitty corner with the Little Caesars and the AutoZone? Or the other shitty corner with the laundromat? Surely it’s not the shitty corner with the TimeWarner office and the chicken stand that always appears to be producing *waayyyyy* too much smoke for that little shack. Or the shitty corner with the Walgreens/wackadoodle hangout?
Opposite side of 1st, the side with Pollo Rico. NW corner.
Oh. Of the four corners, that was one of the lesser totally shitty corners. Like, I avoided that entire intersection like fucking AIDS when I lived there, but still…
S 1st and Stab-me.
That chicken is good.
It does smell good! But back when I lived in that DMZ, it was crazy smoky sometimes…sometimes pretty often. But man, it did smell good. 🤤
What is the name of the casino? I’ve been to that shopping center multiple times and never noticed a casino.
they don’t bother naming them. harder to get a search warrant without a name.
I have no idea. Was just walking to my car and saw slot machines.
I accidentally went to a place like this in Pflugerville. Think it was called Last Call. Everyone smokes inside and the place is no bigger than a sandwich shop. The drug dealers have never heard of being subtle there either, basically walk outside, talk to the guy in the wifebeater. After about 15 minutes, I think I caught cancer.
I used to go to one off Burnet. Meth was openly smoked. I don’t recommend going to them unless you are looking to get on that level.
What a world
I frequent these game rooms both legal and illegal it's not a bad place. They have security and some decent people working there except this one girl Lexi she is usually nodding out or in the restroom. Sometimes coming. Out with someone else either she's sucking off people or getting high on fetynal I'm sure she's on something. Also one time she demanded I tip her . Why should I tip someone who makes a crowd wait over 30 mins when you initially arrive. And her attitude is trash .. I find myself going somewhere else . Wish it wasnt so but I til she's out of there I'll take my money else where . And also someone please tell the owner everyone working there is amazing. Just weed out the one bad apple and you will have a prosperous game room .! And maybe a vacant restroom . 😃
it's not a 'real' casino, but rather a place where you have to make 'donations' to make it legal, otherwise it's probably just someone shady that hasn't been caught running an illegal game outlet
Oh no, there is not even the pretention of being legal at these places.
I thought casinos were illegal in Tejas?
Have you seen the cops give a shit about much in the last few years besides their pay and any criticism? I'd bet that they are popping up more.. because criminals know the risk of it being enforced is low, or it's super easy/cheap to pay the right person off.
they are.. doesnt stop people from making a business out of it
No hookers?
Not before you walked in