Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall working to curb illegal gaming

MONTGOMERY, Ala. ( WHNT ) — Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is working to curb illegal gaming statewide.

This comes after he executed a raid on six bingo halls in Selma on Monday. He issued search warrants and temporary restraining orders on the facilities. He said these halls were operating illegally.

“Gambling is illegal in Alabama, and law enforcement has a role in being able to shut that down,” Marshall said.

Marshall said he received complaints from citizens in Selma about bingo halls. Marshall noted they seized over 200 gaming machines and even firearms.

“We wouldn’t want to speak to any pending investigation that we have but do know that we’re prepared to act when we’re able to be able to determine that there is unlawful activity and be able to move to get the appropriate orders,” Marshall said.

But what is unlawful activity?

Attorney Matt McDonald, of Mobile, explained the Alabama Constitution permits traditional forms of bingo. Electronic forms are not permitted with the exception of local constitutional amendments in some counties such as Macon County.

“The traditional form of bingo would require someone to have a card, to have a call or call out the numbers,” McDonald said. “Then you place a ‘P’ or a token on a card.”

McDonald said many of these halls are operated illegally in areas of economic decline.

“Where any form of business activity and revenue generation, job creation is viewed as a positive,” McDonald said.

For this reason, McDonald said bingo halls keep popping up.

“There have been instances where local law enforcement have permitted these bingo halls to operate, even against the advice of the attorney general,” McDonald said.

Marshall said it is important for law enforcement to address activities they know are illegal.

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