newsnews

Alabama Bingo Complex Surrenders Alcohol License

By AP
Published: February 05, 2010

The war over electronic gaming continues in the state of Alabama, with one bingo center owner giving up his license to sell alcohol and tobacco.
The operator of Greentrack in Eutaw, Alabama surrendered the license after the governor's anti-gambling task force referenced a statute that allows warrantless searches in establishments that have an alcoholic beverage control board license. State officials and bingo complex operators have been in a standoff for a week now, since raids were attempted at locations across Alabama.

Yesterday, the state's largest bingo entertainment complex, VictoryLand in Shorter, closed down the entire facility. The electronic bingo machines were shut down Monday, with the rest of the complex shutting down shortly before a state supreme court order was handed down. That court order overrules an earlier order that blocked the raids. Governor Bob Riley contends that such bingo machines are illegal in Alabama. An attorney for VictoryLand in Shorter said chairman John Tyson and his anti-gambling task force would be trespassing if they tried to enter the closed business without a search warrant.