FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
July 19, 2013
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Claire Haynes (334) 242-7351
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AG, WALKER COUNTY DA ANNOUNCE ADDITIONAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST ELECTRONIC BINGO
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange thanked District Attorney Bill
Adair for his office’s partnership in a continuing strong initiative to shut down so-called
“electronic bingo” casinos in Walker County. Attorney General Strange and District
Attorney Adair provided updates today on law enforcement actions in an ongoing joint
effort between their offices.
Most recently, on July 9, Special Agents of the Attorney General’s Office and
investigators of the District Attorney’s Office shut down an illegal gambling operation
involving about 12 machines at a private building located on Pine Loop in Jasper.
Previously this year, on the evening of January 10, agents of the Attorney General’s
Office and the District Attorney’s Office shut down illegal gambling operations involving
15 machines at the Arrowhead Golf Course on Holly Grove Road, and involving an
additional 20 machines at a private building on Valley Loop Road. The Arrowhead Golf
Course also was the subject of a similar law enforcement operation in September.
“These actions are the culmination of a joint investigation by the Attorney General’s
Office and the Walker County District Attorney’s Office, with assistance provided by the
Walker County Sheriff’s Office,” said Attorney General Strange. “From my first day in
office, I have acted to ensure that illegal gambling laws are enforced consistently across the
state. These cooperative law enforcement efforts in Walker County demonstrate our
commitment to do so effectively.”
District Attorney Adair stated, “I commend Attorney General Strange and his office
on their commitment to following and enforcing the law and the invaluable assistance in
time and manpower that his office has provided.”
Altogether, the joint investigative efforts of these offices so far has resulted in the
seizure of approximately 92 machines, two guns, and about $7,500 in cash from a total of
about 20 gambling facilities that have been shut down. The machines are estimated to have
an average value of about $2,000 each. These machines, along with the seized money, will
be held as evidence and will be subject to forfeiture procedures in the Circuit Court of
Walker County.
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501 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us Page 2 of 2
“Until the Alabama Legislature acts to create an effective deterrent for illegal
gambling, individuals will continue to engage in illegal gambling activity and openly defy
the law,” said Attorney General Strange. “These individuals stand to make thousands of
dollars in illegal gambling profits while risking only a slap-on-the-wrist misdemeanor
charge. Law enforcement will continue to be forced to expend valuable resources to deal
with the growing problem. The Legislature must change that weakness in our law and
create a badly needed deterrent for illegal gambling by increasing the penalty for operating
an illegal slot machine casino to a felony.”
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