VictoryLand Reopens After Judge Blocks Task Force Gambling Raids

The court battle in Alabama continued on Friday over the legality of Governor Robert Riley's Task Force on Illegal Gambling. Circuit Court Judge Tom Young issued an order blocking any raids at VictoryLand by the Task Force.

VictoryLand is the largest casino operator in Alabama, and the facility had shut down voluntarily several weeks ago. Owner Milton McGregor was concerned that the Task Force may raid the establishment and seize the bingo machines inside.

On Friday, however, Judge Young blocked that raid from occurring. He said in his ruling that Task Force head, John Tyson, had no authority in Macon County, where VictoryLand is located.

Tyson is the district attorney in Mobile County, and Young cited that Tyson could have conducted the raid in a "unequal, invidious and discriminatory" manner. Shortly after the ruling, McGregor re-opened his gambling facility.

That was good news for thousands of Alabamians who are employed with VictoryLand. In addition to being the largest casino in the state, VictoryLand is also one of the biggest employers.

When VictoryLand and Country Crossings closed their doors weeks ago, thousands were left without an income. Now, many residents have regained their employment status and will begin receiving paychecks again.

One of the precautions that McGregor took was to surrender his liquor license. With the liquor license active, officials would have been allowed to act without a search warrant. That will not be a loophole available now to the Task Force.

March 5, 2010
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
Submit News!