Waco council bans amusement redemption machines, exempts pure skill games after public debate

WACO — The Waco City Council on Oct. 21 approved an ordinance prohibiting amusement redemption machines that involve chance or a combination of skill and chance while not banning games the city deems "purely skill based."

The ordinance, approved on second reading, amends multiple sections of the city code regulating amusements and indoor amusement facilities and changes licensing requirements for nightclubs and similar venues. Sarah Bridal, assistant director of development services, told the council the ordinance was drafted to match the approach used in Fort Worth and to implement the council's direction to prohibit devices the courts have found to function as lotteries.

"Our definition of 'amusement redemption machine' specifically calls out games of chance or combination of skill and chance, and those are the machines that are being prohibited," Bridal said.

Why it matters: Supporters of the ban told the council the machines are functionally gambling devices and cited a recent appellate ruling used as legal guidance; opponents said the change would shut dozens of small businesses, eliminate jobs and remove a social…