The state of Alabama is intensifying its efforts to combat what it deems unlawful gaming activities. The Attorney General of the state has initiated legal proceedings against gaming establishments in five counties, asserting that they are engaging in the operation of illicit slot machines disguised as electronic bingo.
These lawsuits are directed at businesses in Greene, Houston, Lowndes, Macon, and Morgan counties. The parties named in the lawsuits encompass the companies managing the establishments, the entities responsible for manufacturing and distributing the gaming machines, and even the governmental bodies tasked with licensing and overseeing electronic bingo within those counties.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall emphasized, “The Attorney General bears the duty of upholding the laws of the State of Alabama, and this encompasses the enforcement of laws that prohibit unlawful gambling activities.”
Although the state currently prohibits conventional casino games such as slot machines, numerous establishments have been operating electronic bingo machines, which bear a close resemblance to slot machines. These machines are presently categorized as a variant of bingo, but the state contends that they are fundamentally illegal slot machines.
Despite federal law classifying electronic bingo machines as Class II gaming devices, the Alabama Supreme Court has issued multiple rulings mandating the removal of electronic bingo machines from these establishments, asserting that their operation contravenes state law.
The top legal official in Alabama, Steve Marshall, is taking a hard line against electronic bingo, claiming it violates state law. He has initiated legal action against multiple counties, including Greene County, where authorities maintain that bingo revenue supports vital services such as emergency medical care and fire suppression. Luther Winn, who heads Greenetrack, a business operating in Greene County, asserts that the games are lawful and have been approved by the electorate. He vows to contest the legal challenges. In the meantime, the closure of bingo establishments has led to the elimination of 115 positions that offered competitive salaries, health coverage, and retirement plans, affecting households throughout the county.