The last few days of August delivered a flurry of activity regarding the issue of electronic bingo in Alabama. One business was raided, another reopened and one of the lobbyists who pleaded guilty to corruption related to electronic bingo earlier this year was released from jail pending sentencing.
According to The Birmingham News, Lucky Duck Bingo located in the Midfield Plaza Shopping Center was raided Aug. 30.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s office said in an Aug. 30 press release that as many as 250 machines were being confiscated and investigators will seek to have the illegal gambling machines destroyed through the courts.
Lucky Duck recently reopened after it was put on notice by the city of Midfield that it was found to be an illegal gambling operation by the sheriff’s office, the state attorney general’s office and the Jefferson County district attorney’s office.
Meanwhile Greenetrack, located in Greene County’s Eutaw, restarted its operation of electronic bingo machines Aug. 31. This is after the facility has had machines confiscated twice in the last two years, according to The News.
According to the report, John Bolton, attorney for Greenetrack, said the track would again offer electronic bingo with 50 to 60 machines. He said Greenetrack has continued racing operations and live-call bingo since the latest raid.
A statement released from Attorney General Luther Strange’s office said, “We trust that Greenetrack will abide by Alabama law, and if they do not, appropriate law enforcement action will be taken.”
Joe Godfrey, executive director of Alabama Citizens Action Program, applauded local and state law enforcement officials who are working to “enforce the laws … and … punish offenders.”
“People are always going to try to push the envelope,” he said. “If we start legalizing everything just because people want to do it, our society will collapse.
“That’s why law enforcement is so important,” he said.
In other news, The Associated Press reported that Jarrod Massey, former casino lobbyist for Country Crossing, was released from jail Aug. 31 pending his sentencing for offering bribes to legislators to approve pro-gambling legislation.
U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson said Massey met the qualifications for release and was not seen as a flight risk. (TAB)
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