Police shut down alleged Galveston casino

Thursday, Aug. 24, 2000 | 12:30 p.m.

Police on Wednesday shut down a makeshift home casino they say included a full-service bar, 45 gaming machines and evidence that table games were going to be added.

Ruhije M. Head and her husband, Todd Head, were free on bond Thursday after being booked on misdemeanor charges of gambling promotion, keeping a gambling facility and possessing gambling devices.

"We want to send a firm message that we're not going to allow a return to the gambling days of the 1950s," police Lt. Michael Putnal told The Daily News of Galveston County.

Galveston was known as "Sin City" during the 1950s, when several gambling houses operated in blatant violation of state law. The rock music group ZZ Top immortalized the most famous of those with their 1970s hit, "Balinese," about a notorious joint set at the end of a Seawall pier.

Putnal said the house contained two rooms of video slot machines and "eight-liner" games. Police also found 22 Las Vegas-style slot machines, a full-service bar and lots of coins and tokens.

The house had video cameras monitoring the entrance and electronic identification sensors to admit patrons.

Officers found evidence that gambling tables were going to be added on the second floor, Putnal said. The operation had gone on for three months until anonymous tips prompted the raid by Galveston County authorities and the Department of Public Safety.

Police removed more than $100,000 worth of gambling devices.

One neighbor who said she visited the house said patrons received winnings not in cash, but in Wal-Mart gift certificates. However, police charge that patrons received cash winnings.

In Texas, gambling for cash or gifts that can be redeemed for cash is illegal. The Associated Press was unable to obtain a telephone listing for the Heads.