Alabama Judge Stops Casino Raid

Casino News - January 7th, 2010 - Written By Glen

Unless it is a wager over oranges, Governor Riley of Alabama is heavily opposed to gambling. So much so that he had founded the Governor's Task Force on Illegal Gambling, a task force that he would swing around like an unwieldy sack of said oranges in order prevent any illegal gambling operation, or even one that coasts on the gray area. On January 6th, the task force was set to raid the Dothan bingo casino, under the pretext that the games did not fit the law separating bingo machines from slot machines.

Over three dozen state troopers congregated before daybreak on Wednesday, all set to bring justice to the potentially unlawful casino. Local government stepped in, causing a David versus Goliath struggle, and just like the aphorism, the local officials came out on top.

The local officials had taken the initiative, going to the home of a judge just after midnight. The judge signed an order to stop the raid, an order that had been personally delivered by Houston County Commissioner Mark Culver.

Riley's anti-gambling crusade has only hit a few roadblocks throughout its duration. Why Riley has been actively working to stop any gambling expansion in the state is a question many are asking, but this recent blow to his efforts may show that local governments will not stand for his confrontational attitude on a new source of revenue.

Riley contends that the Bingo machines are too similar to slots. Recent court decisions had deemed that, if the bingo machines were distant enough from slot games, then they would be legally able to operate. The rules regarding the machines were very stringent, however, leaving little room for error. A court hearing on the most recent raid is set for January 20th, at which time they will determine whether or not the machines are legal. These casinos, as well as Alabama Online Casinos, are the only choices for legal casino gambling within the state.