11.   Owners packed a committee meeting Monday to defend their interests in the legislative war against video poker machines.

12.   Polls show voters favor banning the video poker machines, which pervade gas stations, restaurants, bowling alleys, hair salons and hotels throughout the state.

13.   Still, Somme said the diesel pumps were here well before the poker machines.

14.   Sydney loves to gamble on everything from rugby to horses to the poker machines that beckon inside every pub.

15.   The issue of gambling in Louisiana became a lightning rod after a scandal involving video poker machines.

16.   The men are accused of using Worldwide Gaming and at least three other front companies to distribute video poker machines made by Bally Gaming.

17.   The machines look and play like casino slot and video poker machines and are known as eight-liners, cherry masters and mechanical slots.

18.   The money for the center comes from taxes on riverboats, the lottery and video poker machines.

19.   The poker machines at truck stops are far more profitable than those at bars, restaurants, race tracks or off-track betting parlors.

20.   The Sheffield Club was a popular hangout for billiards players and gamblers playing poker machines and other arcade-like betting games.