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Pesomatic reps tell Pampa commission their machines are 'games of skill'; police data and payout questions draw scrutiny
Summary
Pesomatic representatives demonstrated skill‑based gaming machines and said the devices are not gambling; local law‑enforcement and commissioners pressed on payouts, crime history at a prior location and operator vetting. Company reps said no machines are yet active in Pampa and that they will respect local decisions.
Representatives of Pesomatic told the Pampa City Commission on Monday that the company’s machines are "games of skill," not gambling, and demonstrated game mechanics and accounting safeguards as they answered commissioners’ questions about payouts, machine limits and community impact.
A company presenter said each game allows a player to preview puzzles before inserting money, and described features he called elements of skill: choosing when to play, pattern recognition and execution. "This is a game of skill," the presenter said, and company representatives cited a prior contested forfeiture hearing where they said a judge found the machines were not gambling devices after expert testimony and law-enforcement witnesses.
Commissioners pressed on payout structures and maximum winnings. Presenters said typical play levels range from $0.50 to $4 per play and described a "follow‑me" bonus mechanic that they said could generate a small positive return in some plays. The company also described a revenue split it characterized as roughly 35% to the location and 35% to the operator, with the remainder covering other costs and the manufacturer. On maximum payouts, a company presenter said a top-line payout icon could show a $2,000 prize at the highest level in some configurations.
Local law-enforcement described a prior problematic location (the VFW hall) and reported substantial calls for service before that site closed. "It was 164 calls for service we answered at that place ... in the previous 18 months before we shut that down," a law-enforcement speaker said, and commissioners asked whether the company would avoid placing machines in areas with a history of complaints. Company representatives said they vet operators, use retired law-enforcement staff for compliance, and would remove machines from locations flagged by local police.
Company reps told the commission they currently had no machines actively operating in Pampa but had units "in setting/ready to go." They repeatedly said they would respect a locality's decision not to host machines.
No formal action or ordinance was taken at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to consider public‑safety concerns, operator vetting and local-control protections if the commission later considers permitting or regulation of such devices.
The company and law-enforcement accounts in the meeting differ on how to categorize risks and on the practical effect of the machines; commissioners asked follow‑up questions but did not vote on any regulatory change during the session.
