Gambling Task Force Turned Away By Alabama Supreme Court

The Task Force on Illegal Gambling in Alabama had won a few previous cases that have been sent to the state Supreme Court. It has led Governor Robert Riley to believe that his raids on gaming establishments were warranted.

On Wednesday, the Task Force finally lost in the Supreme Court. The high court refused a request from Task Force head John Tyson Jr. to allow an immediate raid of VictoryLand, one of the state's largest gaming facilities.

The court ruled that there was no emergency that called for an immediate raid of VictoryLand. While it was a victory for Milton McGregor, the owner of VictoryLand, there is still more work to be done before McGregor opens the doors to the casino again.

Earlier this week McGregor closed VictoryLand for fear that the Task Force may carry out a raid. Hundreds of employees are now without work until the facility opens again. The next step for VictoryLand will be appealing another Supreme Court ruling that allowed Tyson Jr. to operate a raid without the permission of the district attorney or sheriff in Macon County.

VictoryLand will reopen their dog track on Thursday evening, but the electronic bingo machines will not be running. McGregor is hopeful that the Supreme Court will overturn their original ruling and once again allow the casino to open without fearing a raid.

Governor Riley is on his way out of office and there has been a push by Alabama residents to replace Riley with someone who understands the value of bingo machines to the state. Thousands of residents rely on VictoryLand and other gaming halls for employment. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ron Sparks has been the most vocal candidate when speaking of gaming regulations in the state.

August 11, 2010
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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