AG's office raids illegal gambling enterprises in Selma

August 19, 2024 - (Dallas County, Alabama) – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) announced temporary restraining orders (TRO) have been obtained against five illegal gambling facilities in Selma.

"These facilities are operating with complete disregard to Alabama law," said AG Marshall.

Monday's raids were in conjunction with the Dallas County Sheriff's office and the Dallas County District Attorney's office.

"I applaud Dallas County Sheriff Granthum's dedication to combat this blight, and willingness to invite our team to assist in addressing these criminal enterprises," stated Marshall. "The law is clear; gambling is illegal in Alabama and the Attorney General's Office will continue to enforce the laws of this state."

Pursuant to the TROs, the facilities must cease all operations, the property cannot be used or accessed, and there can be no further financial transactions connected with the facility or those operating the facility until further orders from the Circuit Court of Dallas County. Attorney General Marshall also sought and executed 6 search warrants at each of these gambling facilities as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.

The Attorney General Marshall thanked the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Dallas County Sheriff's Office, and the Dallas County District Attorney's Office for their assistance and support on this operation.

The casinos raided included:

• Joker 777, 1391 E. Highland Ave, Ste 114

• Mini Bingo, 113 Dallas Avenue

• Selma Charity Bingo, 1824 Hwy 14E

• Selma Bingo, 1 Hickory Road

• Lucky Duck, 2584 Hwy 80W

There are at least 58 illegal casinos operating in Alabama in open defiance of the Alabama Constitution of 1901. There are hundreds of other bars, restaurants, convenience stores, and private clubs where some level of illegal gambling occurs. In many cases these operations operate with the protection of corrupt local law enforcement officers, mayors, judges, and district attorneys. In other cases they operate in the shadows.

The Alabama Legislature actually considered a controversial amendment to the Alabama Constitution during the 2024 legislative session. That would have dramatically expanded legal casinos while creating a new state police agency to target gambling that is not paying protection money to the state of Alabama for a license to operate. The third version of that bill ultimately was rejected by the Alabama Senate.

The Alabama Legislature could shut down most illegal gambling in the state simply by passing legislation that would cause illegal casino owners to lose all money seized at illegal gambling facilities and seize the real estate where the gambling was occurring.

The Mayor of Selma had previously defended the outlaw casinos claiming that the games, which look just like illegal electronic bingo machines, were actually legal games of chance. Selma had actually been illegally taxing the illegal gambling facilities.

https://www.waka.com/2024/04/23/electronic-gaming-machines-spark-controversy-in-selma/

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