Alabama Supreme Court Overturns Ruling Stopping Gambling Raid

County Crossings had themselves a successful grand opening in Alabama this past weekend, but the joy may be short-lived. Governor Robert Riley again received the support of the state Supreme Court in his quest to rid Alabama of all gambling.

Riley's Task Force on Illegal Gambling was set to raid Country Crossings last week when Circuit Court Judge P.B. McLauchlin issued a restraining order stopping the raid, just hours before the raid was set to take place.

The Supreme Court, however, ruled that McLauchlin did not have the authority to make that ruling. That paves the way for the governor to move forward with the raid.

In order to carry out the raid, the Task Force will once again have to get another search warrant. If the raid does come to fruition, there will be many residents in Alabama unhappy with the governor's actions.

"Thousands of people stand to lose their jobs if Country Crossings is forced to close," said MaryAnne Belsor, "With the economy the way it is in Alabama, we cannot afford to allow thousands of people to lose their only source of income."

That is a sentiment that is shared by many people in Alabama, and even some lawmakers are considering the effect that regulated gambling could have on the economy in the state. There are proposals being discussed that would legalize gambling that is allowed at tribal casinos.

After going on the defensive last month regarding a bet that Riley made with Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Riley was back to his aggressive nature regarding gambling after the Supreme Court's ruling.

"The Supreme Court's order makes clear that gambling bosses around the state will not be able to prevent state's anti-gambling laws from being enforced," said Riley, "We were confident that the Supreme Court would not allow this unprecedented order disrupting law enforcement activities to stand. It shows that the law will prevail over money and political influence."

It is political influence and money that pro-gambling advocates in Alabama have pointed to as the reason for Riley's attack on the gambling industry in Alabama. Gambling supporters have claimed that Riley has taken large campaign contributions from a tribe with casino interests in neighboring Mississippi.

This past weekend, the head of the Governor's Task Force sent a letter of resignation after admitting to winning a jackpot at a casino in Mississippi. It is not yet known if that casino was owned by the same tribe that allegedly contributed to Riley's campaign.

January 19, 2010
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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