Court: ‘Skill-based’ Slot Machines Not Gambling

Pace-O-Matic, a “skill-based” gaming company, won a landmark legal victory when a Texas court ruled that slot-machine-style games aren’t considered gambling because skill is involved in the payouts.

The company says it currently has gaming machines in over 100 Texas locations—primarily small businesses, bars, and fraternal organizations—and plans to expand.

The games operate much like slot machines, but winning money requires competing in bonus rounds where skill determines the payout. The Texas judge said the games therefore didn’t constitute gambling under state law.

Pace-O-Matic recently won a similar court victory in Pennsylvania, but this was the first decision of its kind in Texas. 

Schools Hitting Deadline on Hiring Chaplains

The controversial debate over whether to allow religious chaplains to work in local schools alongside certified counselors is coming to a head, with every school district having to decide by March 1.

The 2023 law was hotly argued over, and the issues of controversy where whether chaplains have appropriate training to counsel students and whether religious viewpoints should come into public schools at all. In the end, the law left it up to the individual school districts to decide.

Some large districts have already voted against using chaplains, including Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston ISD.

Top 10 Restaurants With Massive Meals

Texas is famous for how big everything is, and that includes our food. Here’s a guide to the top ten restaurants that serve colossal steaks, donuts, and more.

In the western frontier of El Paso, for example, you can find Rivas Taco Shop. It’s a family-owned business that’s famous for its three-foot monster, the Anaconda Burrito.

If you prefer gargantuan sandwiches, Kenny & Ziggy’s in Houston is the spot for you. Its claim to fame is The Zellagabetsky, a four-pound beast that includes turkey, roast beef, salami, corned beef, and Swiss cheese.

Check out the whole list here.

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➤ Livingston: Police charged Don McDougal with capital murder in the death of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham. McDougal was the last to see Cunningham before her body was found Tuesday tied to a rock in the Trinity River. (More)

➤ San Antonio: St. Philip’s College has reinstated a biology professor who was terminated for teaching students that X and Y chromosomes determine sex. (More)

➤ Tarrant County officials debated canceling a private jail contract with the Management and Training Corporation on Wednesday after the company failed a state inspection. The Dalby Correctional Facility failed six inspection categories, including Life Safety, Health Services, and Supervision. (Video)

➤ San Marcos: The city council has confirmed a ban on single-use drink containers in the San Marcos River and nearby parks. Coolers will be limited to 30 quarts in May, and alcoholic drinks less than five fluid ounces will also be banned. (Video)

➤ Marshall: Local hazmat teams cordoned off a city road after a trail of blood and guts was spilled from a chicken gut truck. The cause of the leak is yet to be known. (Video)

➤ Lubbock: Texas Tech Health Sciences is working with Matador UAS Consortium to develop drones to deliver critical medical supplies to rural towns. (More)

➤ The Dallas Stars fell short against the New York Rangers 3-1, marking the Ranger’s eighth straight win. Miro Heiskanen scored for Dallas. (More)

➤ Houston Rockets’ fans and players mourned the loss of former player Robert Reid after his battle with cancer. The Rockets guard led the team to its first two finals in 1981 and 1986. (Photos)

➤ Major League Soccer referees picketed in Dallas to protest the recent MLS lockout of their union. The soccer season opens this week, with Dallas FC playing on Saturday. (More)

➤ Sugar Land: City officials signed a deal with California-based Wisk Aero to create an air taxi system for the greater Houston area. The electric aircraft will carry passengers from the Sugar Land airport to three regional airports and downtown Houston. (Photo)

➤ Laredo: Ryder Systems opened a new logistics facility along the U.S.-Mexican border. The 228,000 sq. ft. warehouse is three miles south of the World Trade Bridge and has room for 143 cargo trucks. (More)

➤ El Paso: Louisiana-based chicken shack Raising Cane’s celebrated its 10th anniversary in the Sun City by opening their sixth store, offering 100 new jobs. (More)

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➤ University of Texas at El Paso scientists have captured a photo of a rare bird not seen in almost 20 years. The Yellow-crested Helmetshrike was discovered during an expedition to the Congo. (Photo)

➤ Houston: Former President George HW Bush’s speedboat has been sold for $435,000 to an anonymous buyer. The auction attracted some celebrities, including Condoleezza Rice and Peyton Manning. (More)

➤ Austin: A 24-year-old man recently broke a Guinness World Record by completing a half marathon in just over an hour while dribbling a basketball for the entire run. (Video)

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 Which Texas NBA team is your favorite?

1. Houston Rockets
2. Dallas Mavericks
3. San Antonio Spurs
4. None of them

Wednesday’s Results:

Which festival in March are you most excited about?

1. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: 42.2%
2. Other: 19.5%
3. South by Southwest (SXSW): 16.3%
4. Sherwood Forest Renaissance Faire: 12.9%
5. Texas Pinball Festival: 9.0%

What Texas city holds the record for the world’s largest urban bat colony?

Show me the answer