Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has shut down five gambling halls in Selma that he said were operating “with complete disregard” for state law.
Marshall’s office obtained and enforced temporary restraining orders against five facilities, forcing them to cease operating or processing financial transactions until further orders from the Circuit Court of Dallas County.
The Attorney General also executed search warrants at each of the venues as part of the ongoing criminal investigation. The facilities in question – Joker 777, Mini Bingo, Selma Charity Bingo, Selma Bingo and Lucky Duck – are alleged to have housed slot machines and gambling devices for the purposes of illegal gambling.
“These facilities are operating with complete disregard to Alabama law,” Marshall said in a release. “I applaud Dallas County Sheriff [Mike] Granthum’s dedication to combat this blight, and willingness to invite our team to assist in addressing these criminal enterprises.
“The law is clear; gambling is illegal in Alabama and the Attorney General’s Office will continue to enforce the laws of this state.”
The quintet of illegal operations temporarily shut down this week are five of many more operating in the state. Per the Alabama Political Reporter, lawmakers who toured with law enforcement agencies last year said they viewed as many as a thousand illegal operations, some located in establishments such as gas stations and salons.
Alabama legal gambling push stalls
Although gambling remains outlawed in Alabama, that’s not for lack of trying on the part of some lawmakers.
A proposed package of gaming offerings including a state lottery failed to pass before the end of the state’s legislative session in May, leaving the efforts dead for 2024.
House Bill 151 and House Bill 152 would have allowed for a state education lottery as well as electronic games of chance, raffles and paper bingo at seven dog racing or bingo locations across the state. Residents would also have been able to participate in national lotteries including the Mega Millions and Powerball lotteries.
The proposal overwhelmingly passed in the Alabama House 72-29 but an amended version did not get approval in the Senate before the session concluded.
