Recently Colbert County, Alabama District Attorney Bryce Graham Jr. sent hand-delivered letters to businesses—mostly convenience stores–suspected of possessing illegal gambling machines. Graham’s office has received numerous complaints from other businesses and concerned citizens about the machines.
Colbert County Sheriff Frank Williamson, who is working with the district attorney’s office, said the letter informed the businesses “Cherry Master, Eight Linger or any other video gambling machines or devices” must be removed within seven days or the businesses will “face the consequences.” Graham noted, “We’re giving the business owners a chance to get the machines out of their business without being arrested and without the machines being seized. Basically, we’re asking them nicely. If they are not removed, then they will be removed and the owners will be arrested. It’s that simple.”
Graham said the letter pointed out under Alabama gambling law the machines in question at the businesses are illegal. Possession of an illegal gambling device is considered a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a $2,000 fine and up to a year in jail. Also, the letter stated the illegal gambling machines are “subject to forfeiture” and can be disposed of or destroyed.
Alabama law regarding slots or similar Class II gaming machines vary from county to county and year to year. In 2010, then-Governor Bob Riley formed an anti-gambling task force that closed most of the gaming parlors that offered the machines. However in March 2010 the state Supreme Court ruled the governor’s office did not have the authority to assemble the task force; that authority rested with the attorney general’s office. Attorney General Luther Strange took up the cause and closed numerous gaming facilities, including Milton McGregor’s VictoryLand casino in Macon County, which closed after a 2013 raid in which cash and electronic bingo machines were confiscated. A judge appointed by the state Supreme Court determined that VictoryLand the attorney general was “cherry-picking” since other casinos remained open. McGregor recently said he will announce the reopening date of VictoryLand possibly this week.
