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The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office executed search warrants and served temporary restraining orders on five bingo halls in Selma on Monday.
The restraining orders, valid until action is taken by a Dallas County Circuit Court, will prevent the five facilities – Joker 777, Mini Bingo, Selma Charity Bingo, Selma Bingo and Lucky Duck – from being accessed or doing business.
“These facilities are operating with complete disregard to Alabama law,” AG Steve Marshall said in a statement. “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.”
Whether the facilities are operating illegally will likely be debated vigorously in court in the coming months. Alabama’s convoluted gaming laws, along with selective enforcement of laws by local and state law enforcement, has created a confusing mishmash of acceptable practices and alleged illegal operations.
Numerous state lawmakers sought to correct the issues with a comprehensive gambling package during the previous legislative session. Despite its popularity with leadership and among voters, the package failed in the Alabama Senate.
As it stands, gambling operations, such as the ones shuttered by the actions Monday, are in full operation in several counties across the state. Lawmakers who toured with various law enforcement agencies last year said they viewed as many as a thousand illegal operations, located in gas stations, salons and a dry cleaners.
