A multi-agency task force in Galveston County executed one of the region’s largest illegal gambling crackdowns last week, charging Hitchcock Mayor Chris Armacost with felony offenses and seizing hundreds of gaming machines and cash. Authorities said the coordinated operation targeted what investigators described as a nearly $900,000 illegal gambling enterprise operating across the city of Hitchcock.

The Galveston County task force served 21 search warrants at 20 locations, including game rooms, convenience stores and a washeteria allegedly linked to Armacost. Investigators also executed a search at City Hall. In total, authorities seized 749 gaming machines and more than $400,000 in cash. Armacost, who also serves as assistant superintendent for Hitchcock Independent School District, was arrested on felony charges tied to the operation. He later posted bond.

Law enforcement officials have not publicly detailed each charge but characterized the alleged enterprise as an organized, cash-heavy operation that violated Texas gambling laws.

Sheriff Says Mayor Was Warned

Jimmy Fullen said he met with Armacost months before the raids to give city leadership an opportunity to address concerns about illegal game rooms. Speaking to reporters, Fullen said he felt personally misled when a search warrant later named the mayor. Armacost issued a public statement after bonding out. He said he was charged in his capacity as a private business owner, not as a public official, and that he intends to contest the allegations in court rather than in the media.

The case now places both his mayoral role and his position with the school district under scrutiny. Any administrative action will depend on the city charter, school district policy and the outcome of court proceedings. Beyond the criminal charges, investigators are examining whether municipal finances were affected. The sheriff and the district attorney are pursuing a potential forensic audit of city records following allegations that illegal gambling proceeds may have been used to supplement the city’s annual budget.

The district attorney’s office said it is coordinating with federal partners on a possible forensic review of Hitchcock’s finances. Such an audit could determine whether additional misconduct occurred or whether the city faces broader legal exposure.

Wider Implications for Operators and Players

The enforcement action underscores the legal risks associated with unregulated gaming venues in Texas, where gambling laws remain strict and enforcement often falls to local authorities. For operators, the seizure of machines and cash illustrates the financial exposure tied to so-called “game rooms” or sweepstakes-style setups. Raids can result in confiscated inventory, frozen funds and felony charges.

For patrons, abrupt closures can mean loss of access to deposited funds or winnings, particularly in cash-based systems that lack consumer protections. As the case moves forward, prosecutors will seek to establish whether the alleged operation violated state gambling statutes and whether public resources were improperly intertwined with private business activity. Armacost has said he will defend himself in court.