Alabama Supreme Court dismisses Frontier Bingo owner’s appeal

Once again the Alabama Supreme Court has ruled against electronic bingo machines, and it is again related to machines in Greene County.

Earlier this month the Court dismissed the appeal of Dream Inc., owner of Frontier Bingo in Knoxville, which allows the State to keep the $191,249.11 and 449 electronic bingo machines seized in 2014. Alice Martin, who was the acting attorney general at the time of the ruling, confirmed the illegal machines would be destroyed and the funds would go toward the State’s General Fund.

The Alabama Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that electronic bingo machines are illegal under Alabama law. Specifically in Greene, Macon, Lowdnes and Houston counties — which have constitutional “bingo” amendments — the Court has stated in separate rulings that Alabama law doesn’t allow electronic gambling or slot machines.

And recently appointed Attorney General Steve Marshall, who was formerly the district attorney of Marshall County, said Feb. 13 that the Alabama Supreme Court is the definitive authority on the legality of electronic bingo.

“It’s premature for me to say anything at all about what we would do (concerning enforcement) at this point. But obviously the Supreme Court has spoken. And they’re the law of the land. Whether I agree with it or not, that’s my job to enforce it, just as I would in other areas,” Marshall said.