After a lengthy tussle over new game room regulations for Harris County, a federal judge Tuesday issued an order denying requests from a local game room owner to stop the new regulations.
“The game room situation in Harris County is a big problem,” said Fred Keys, an assistant attorney for Harris County. “This is a good result for the citizens of Harris County.”
In his suit against both county and city officials, game room owner Fabian Elizondo was attempting to stop enforcement of new game room regulations, which took effect May 30. He contended the new Harris County regulations would inhibit his right to make a living because the rules are too vague, making them difficult to follow.
U.S. District Court Judge David Hittner issued an order denying requests for relief from Elizondo, including his request for a permanent injunction against enforcing the new regulations. Hittner is expected to issue a final judgement in the next few weeks.
Attempts to reach Elizondo’s attorney were unsuccessful.
Now, Elizondo and his seven game rooms will be responsible for complying with those new regulations. The only regulation he is safe from, for now, is getting new county permits.
See here for the last update. Harris County adopted tighter rules late last year, and is doing the enforcement of the rules, with HPD working under these rules for enforcement within Houston. I’ll be interested to see what if any effect this has on the game rooms – will they comply, or will they just go further underground? Should make for an interesting case study if nothing else.