State will shut down casinos in question
By Kate Northrop
The Alabama Supreme Court on Friday ruled that several casinos in the state are to be shut down after they were found to be in violation of Alabama's gambling laws.
Court case State v. Epic Tech, LLC came to a close with the Alabama Supreme Court's decision that casinos are operating illegally in the state.
The Alabama Supreme Court found itself in agreement with the Attorney General's assertion that the Southern Star, White Hall, and Victoryland casinos are illegal gambling enterprises and are to be shut down.
The casinos have offered what is called "electronic bingo," which is actually a term to mean "video-slot-machine gambling."
"The Alabama Supreme Court's opinion makes clear what my office has maintained from the start: these gambling enterprises are not only patently illegal under Alabama law, but also a menace to public health, morals, safety, and welfare," Attorney General Marshall said in a statement. "Today's decision will forbid the Southern Star, White Hall, and Victoryland casinos from offering their slot-machine gambling to the public."
Previous efforts to establish a lottery as way of tightening up unregulated gambling have failed time and time again in Alabama, with the last attempt at passing a lottery bill fizzling out as the 2021 legislative session ended before lawmakers could reach a consensus.
Regardless of whether a lottery and other forms of gambling continue to remain outlawed in Alabama, residents are looking beyond state lines to participate. In August, an Alabama resident won $1 million in the Florida Lottery after 30 years of doing so.
"In the five years since I filed lawsuits to cease illegal gambling in five different counties across the state, I have prevailed in court against one deep-pocketed gambling enterprise after another: in 2017, against the River City casino in Morgan County; in 2018, against the Center Stage casino in Houston County; and, today, against the Southern Star and White Hall casinos in Lowndes County and the Victoryland casino in Macon County," Marshall continued.
In June, the Attorney General marked another victory against unregulated gambling in the state. Alabama Department of Revenue v. Greenetrack, Inc. resulted in the Alabama Supreme Court ordering Greenetrack to pay $76 million in unpaid taxes and interest that the casino accumulated from profits to the state Department of Revenue.
There is currently a separate court case underway regarding a lawsuit to cease illegal gambling at the Greenetrack casino.
Probably 20 years ago we stopped @ one of these 'casinos' way off the beaten path. Can still see the 8' fan used for exhaust ventilation. Didn't win anything there though.
Notice NONE of the Indian casinos are on the list. For one they're on what I believe is sovereign land and the ones on I-65 have beautiful hotels with them. The state won't touch them.
One can see where the lottery would stand a snowball's chance in HE double L hockey sticks of every becoming reality in that backwards state.
Bet those casinos were in much bigger buildings than convenience stores with video gaming machines usually found in states with no legal casino gambling. Or at Meemaw's laundry in Medford, Texas.
Probably better to make sure what you're doing is legal before opening the doors but most of the people putting money into those machines apparently don't care about the legalities.
The fact that the clueless politicians in Alabama can not put their heads together and come up with plans for a lottery is really embarrassing. Their state is losing millions of dollars every year with people who drive to Tennessee/ Kentucky/ Georgia and Florida to play the lottery. The people want it, but the politicians don't. Makes no sense.
Interesting point.
Have yet to visit small convenience stores (non-chain) in KY that have what the state calls grey slot machines. Illegal. They still flourish and know of one about 9 miles from here.
There's gambling in the casino???
Took the drive and found the place. Four slot machines which are supposed to fund the KY FOP!! It was fun for a bit then lost.
Gas was $3.48 when I left and $3.71 upon return. Everyone buckle up, it's going to go way up there again...pay attention to OPEC and Russia...they've agreed to dramatically decrease output. Maybe Jared can visit Saudi Arabia again to negotiate...fat chance.
I know of four stores and a laundry with at least three video gambling machines in two different counties. If not illegal, very close.
It seems that other enterprises figured out a way to make gambling "work" in the state, so what is up with the stuffed shirt politicians there? Since they can't figure out how to create their own lottery, they just call it "illegal gambling", but one day they will wake up and start a lottery that is legal gambling because THEY are in control of it. GET A CLUE, LEAGLIZE gambling and then tax the H$LL out of it!
Look what pot did for Colorado when they legalized and taxed it, they are deeply in the black with a large surplus every year now.
Politicians needs to open their small minds and realize this is 2022 and NOT 1980 when PC's and cell phone did not exit in homes yet. Small minded politics @ work! SMH