(May 21, 2008)

A popular gaming spot.is raided on Ayers and Saratoga by state authorities today and it's part of a state-wide investigation of Ace Gaming.

The officers confiscated machines and cash and late this afternoon Corpus Christi Police held a news conference to explain why they conducted that raid.

Today's raid at Ace Gaming was part of a six-month undercover operation conducted by the Attorney General's Office and local authorities. At the same time of this raid, authorities also raided Ace Gaming businesses in four other cities.

Much to the surprise of players, officers shut down Ace Gaming on Ayers at 10:30 a.m. They took out 55 8-liner machines and seized about $160,000 from the business location, the gaming center's bank account and an armored car with money from the business.

Prosecutors say the arcade allowed gambling to occur inside the location and paid cash to its patrons by letting them use their winnings as a debit card at area businesses.

"With this type of thing, we struck a blow against these illegal gambling establishments," said Mark Skurka, a prosecutor who works for the Nueces County District Attorney's Office. "With the help of all of these agencies, DPS, IRS, the Attorney General's Office and of course the fine undercover work from the Corpus Christi Police Department."

Many customers kept showing up at Ace Gaming after the raid, but they couldn't get into the 8-liner business as its shut closed for now. 

"I just came to see if it was for real to see if they got closed," said Mike Garza, a man who used to come to the Ace Gaming Center in the past. Asked Off camera: are you surprised? Yeah I'm surprised," he added.

"Yes, I am very surprised," said another patron who showed up to play but didn't want to be identified. "I usually come here to spend a little time and have some fun."

"I'm scared and I'll never do this again," said another patron who didn't want to be identified. "I didn't know it was illegal. I swear I didn't."

This raid is part of a state-wide probe into Ace Gaming Center across Texas. So far, the owners haven't been charged or even arrested as this is an ongoing investigation.

Prosecutors expect the owners will face misdemeanor gambling charges, a state jail felony charge of engaging in criminal activity and possibly even a money laundering charge.

A handful of patrons and employees were taken in for questioning, but they were not arrested. They are not expected to face any criminal charges.