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A local game room has 10 days to file an appeal after it was closed following an undercover gambling operation.

According to Port Arthur police, a game room attendant allegedly paid an undercover detective in cash, leading to the closure of the business.

At approximately 5:40 p.m. July 31, an undercover detective entered Three Diamonds game room, 5250 Gulfway Drive as part of an undercover gambling operation, according to information from Port Arthur Police Department.

Upon entering the game room, the undercover detective inserted a $20 and began to play the 8-Liner. A male gaming attendant later identified as Kishore Penneru, 29, of Beaumont added additional credits, which is illegal.

While playing, the undercover detective’s machine flashed “WINNER” and Penneru reportedly paid him in cash.

Penneru was seen paying cash to another patron as well. According to the law, prizes cannot exceed a value greater than $5.
It is illegal to operate and participate in the earnings of a gambling place and for his involvement, Penneru was arrested and booked for gambling promotion, police said.

He was transported to the Jefferson County Correctional Facility and the game room was immediately and indefinitely closed for business.

Bond was set at $1,500 and Penneru bonded out the next day, according to information from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

PAPD Chief Tim Duriso said the investigation into Three Diamonds Game room is ongoing as other people are potentially involved.

The business has 10 days in which to file an appeal but there’s no guarantee it will reopen, he said.

If an appeal were filed it would go to a board made up of five city of Port Arthur department heads including the police department. The recommendation will then go to the city manager.

Duriso said the city has approximately 32 gaming locations.