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Leaders in Orange took the first step in banning 8 liner amusement machines in a move to align with a Texas court ruling.

The ordinance calls for prohibiting amusement redemption machines and game rooms in the city. A second reading of the ordinance will be done at a future city council meeting.

Kelvin Knauf, director of planning and community development, said the ordinance is a result of a court case out of Fort Worth where a second court of appeals ruled the gaming machines are unconstitutional in the State of Texas because they have an element of chance. The Texas Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from the second court of appeals decision. 

There are about 20 businesses that have the amusement redemption machines with an approximate total of 140 machines. The current ordinance required the owner to obtain a permit for the game room and each machine as well as applications and supporting documents. Knauf said the city was in the process of implementing the actual permits when the court case came down.

Game rooms sometimes have an element of crime attached, something that could occur when someone wins a large amount of money and is accosted or possibly robbed. 

Knauf said he has read of this occurring in other cities. 

Mayor Larry Spears said he wanted the audience at the recent meeting and those who would view the meeting online to know this is not an action the city of Orange is doing on its own. 

Knauf reiterated the ordinance and subsequent action is in following what the City of Fort Worth has done.

If the second reading is approved, the ordinance will become effective Aug. 4 in order to give businesses with the machine enough time to remove them. In addition there will be a zoning ordinance going before council that will prohibit game rooms in any district, Knauf said.