DA Walker orders video gambling machines closed
District Attorney Spence Walker has put operators of "sweepstakes" video
gambling machines on notice that they should shut the machines down
immediately. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled Dec. 1 that the devices at a
greyhound dog track in Birmingham are illegal gambling devices, no different
than slot machines. The 8-0 ruling reversed a ruling by a Jefferson County
circuit judge who said the Birmingham machines were not a lottery and did
not involve the use of slot machines or gambling devices. District attorneys
and lawmen around the state are interpreting the ruling as having statewide
affect. In the First Judicial Circuit of Choctaw, Clarke and Washington
counties the machines seem more numerous in Choctaw where they are located
in convenience stores and a gaming room had been set up in the old Lisman
school, owned by the town. It has recently closed. Walker's notice says that
operations are to cease immediately "upon the managers'/ owners'/operators'
receipt of this notice." Further, "failure to cease operations of these
machines immediately will result in the arrest of those having
responsibility for their use. Any such machines remaining in the premises
after the passage of one hour after receipt of this notice by any of the
above-named parties will be confiscated, condemned and further appropriate
criminal action may be taken."
gambling machines on notice that they should shut the machines down
immediately. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled Dec. 1 that the devices at a
greyhound dog track in Birmingham are illegal gambling devices, no different
than slot machines. The 8-0 ruling reversed a ruling by a Jefferson County
circuit judge who said the Birmingham machines were not a lottery and did
not involve the use of slot machines or gambling devices. District attorneys
and lawmen around the state are interpreting the ruling as having statewide
affect. In the First Judicial Circuit of Choctaw, Clarke and Washington
counties the machines seem more numerous in Choctaw where they are located
in convenience stores and a gaming room had been set up in the old Lisman
school, owned by the town. It has recently closed. Walker's notice says that
operations are to cease immediately "upon the managers'/ owners'/operators'
receipt of this notice." Further, "failure to cease operations of these
machines immediately will result in the arrest of those having
responsibility for their use. Any such machines remaining in the premises
after the passage of one hour after receipt of this notice by any of the
above-named parties will be confiscated, condemned and further appropriate
criminal action may be taken."
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