A mayor from the Texan town of Hitchcock is facing calls to resign after he was arrested as part of a sweeping illegal gambling investigation executed by Galveston County officials.
Authorities claim that Mayor Chris Armacost participated in running eight-liner gambling machines at a property within the town, as detailed in a probable cause affidavit filed in Galveston County.
Mayor to defend himself in court
More than 700 gaming machines and almost half-a-million dollars were seized as part of the operation, which saw Armacost and 32 others brought in for questioning.
Texas law generally bans gambling but permits certain gaming machines under an exception commonly known as the “fuzzy animal” provision. This exception allows machines to award only non-cash prizes valued at no more than $5 or 10 times the cost of a single play, whichever amount is lower.
In a written statement released on Monday 23 February, Armacost announced his intention to clear his name, adding that the charges stem from his actions as a private citizen and not his public role.
He wrote: “Some of the most important rights granted to Americans by the Constitution are the presumption of innocence, and the right to confront your accusers in court to test the strength of those accusations,
“I have been charged by the state with offenses as a private citizen and business owner. Neither my work as mayor for the City of Hitchcock, nor my work as an administrator for Hitchcock Independent School District have been implicated in these charges.”
He added: “It is with that in mind that I intend to defend myself as a private citizen, and decline to fight this case in the media. This case will be resolved in court, as is right and proper.”
Hitchcock sheriff outlines scope of illegal gambling network
At a press conference on Friday, Sheriff Jimmy Fullen shone a light onto the extent of illegal gambling activities in the district.
He said: “These are not just mom-and-pop businesses. They are criminal enterprises,” adding that gambling rooms draw narcotics trafficking, prostitution, aggravated assaults, and robberies due to the large volumes of cash they typically handle.
Criminal District Attorney Kenneth A. Cusick said his office intends to pursue the cases to the fullest extent permitted by law. He said: “We’re not going to go after just low-level employees or cashiers making payouts. We will pursue the entire operation, including individuals operating, financing or facilitating these gaming establishments.”
Illegal gambling in Texas remains a common issue
A recent market research report of the Lone Star State suggests illegal gambling continues to cost state governments millions in taxes.
The study claims that illegal offshore wagering remains widespread: “Estimates of illegal offshore wagering show that an estimated $5 to $20 billion is being wagered in the state of Texas annually, which demonstrates that there is still substantial growth potential in the state.”
It also argues the state represents a massive untapped opportunity for the U.S. iGaming sector. It suggests that although casinos and sports betting remain prohibited under the state constitution, the continued success of the Texas Lottery signals clear demand for gaming among residents.
Lawmakers have introduced several bills aimed at expanding sports wagering and limited casino development, and mounting fiscal pressures are expected to keep the issue on the legislative agenda.
For now, the Texas Lottery remains the only legal form of gambling in the state. Casinos, online betting, and retail sportsbooks are still off-limits. Even so, lottery sales continue to climb, driven largely by population growth and inflation-related ticket price increases.
In fiscal year 2025, which ran from September 2024 through August 2025, the Texas Lottery reported record sales of more than $7.91 billion. Of that amount, $1.8 billion was allocated to the Foundation School Fund and veterans’ programs. Over the past decade, lottery revenues have grown at an average annual rate of roughly 3% to 5%.
As the legal process unfolds, the Hitchcock case is likely to intensify debate over gambling enforcement and regulation across Texas. With local officials under scrutiny and state lawmakers weighing potential expansion measures, the investigation highlights the complex and often controversial landscape of gaming
For now, attention will remain fixed on the courts in Galveston County, where Armacost and the other defendants are set to face the charges against them and where the next chapter of this high-profile case will ultimately be decided.
