The Governor’s Task Force on Illegal Gambling raided Chickasaw’s new slot machine operation Feb. 25, just a few hours after it opened its doors.
The task force, led by Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson Jr., and other state authorities confiscated all 25 machines after Tyson had sent undercover agents to scope out the situation, Tyson said.
The raid came one week after Attorney General Troy King said he may decide to “superintend” over the task force, but not “yet.”
Despite warnings by Tyson and Gov. Bob Riley, the city council went forward with its “bingo” agenda approving an amended “bingo” ordinance and a lease with electronic gambling developer M.S. Land Inc. on Feb. 9.
Two weeks later, Gulf Shores attorney James “Pete” Bridges, owner of M.S. Land, opened his casino in the former Chickasaw municipal auditorium.
Tyson said his next step will be to file a forfeiture action against Bridges’ operation.
But Tyson is not the only one planning to pursue legal action.
“We fully intend to file a civil action in the coming days,” Bridges reportedly told The Associated Press.
While Bridges, some city council members, city attorney Jay Minus and Mayor Byron Pittman believe the machines comply with the Supreme Court’s six-point test (released as part of a November 2009 ruling), Tyson does not.
“I have never seen an electronic machine that was really nothing other than a slot machine disguised by a decal and clever name,” Tyson told The Alabama Baptist.
“The Supreme Court of Alabama has ruled twice in just four months that these illegal slot machines are not bingo,” he said, adding that he is going to continue to enforce the law.
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