So has anyone seen the ongoing saga regarding electronic bingo in Alabama? There has been a months long legal battle over the machines, which the attorney general thinks are legal. The governor has had the state police raid (or at least attempt to) several of them, despite being unable to ever secure a warrant for any of the raids. The big one, just outside Montgomery reopened today.
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/03/victoryland_reopens.html
Apparently the state Supreme Court issued a ruling several months back that contained standards by which the machines could be judged as either being illegal slot machines or legal electronic bingo machines. Despite the operators of these bingo parlors having the machines tested by the manufacturers to ensure they comply with the ruling, Governor Riley has been having his task force seize and destroy the machines without a court order.
The operators of the two biggest ones got wise to the deal and closed hours before the 4 AM raids on their facilities. Since they had no search warrant, they were unable to carry out the seizure.
One of the "casinos" has been open through the whole deal, supposedly because the sheriff of the county it is located in has said outright that he will arrest anyone attempting to seize the machines without a warrant or court order.
I have to say, I feel sorry for the people of Alabama. When Oklahoma, of all places, is able to tackle a supposed moral issue in a better way than you are, you've gotta be pretty damn backwards.
The whole thing is freaking hilarious, but I'd find it much less amusing if it were my state...
Quote from: nathanm on March 05, 2010, 08:04:24 PM
So has anyone seen the ongoing saga regarding electronic bingo in Alabama? There has been a months long legal battle over the machines, which the attorney general thinks are legal. The governor has had the state police raid (or at least attempt to) several of them, despite being unable to ever secure a warrant for any of the raids. The big one, just outside Montgomery reopened today.
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/03/victoryland_reopens.html
Apparently the state Supreme Court issued a ruling several months back that contained standards by which the machines could be judged as either being illegal slot machines or legal electronic bingo machines. Despite the operators of these bingo parlors having the machines tested by the manufacturers to ensure they comply with the ruling, Governor Riley has been having his task force seize and destroy the machines without a court order.
The operators of the two biggest ones got wise to the deal and closed hours before the 4 AM raids on their facilities. Since they had no search warrant, they were unable to carry out the seizure.
One of the "casinos" has been open through the whole deal, supposedly because the sheriff of the county it is located in has said outright that he will arrest anyone attempting to seize the machines without a warrant or court order.
I have to say, I feel sorry for the people of Alabama. When Oklahoma, of all places, is able to tackle a supposed moral issue in a better way than you are, you've gotta be pretty damn backwards.
The whole thing is freaking hilarious, but I'd find it much less amusing if it were my state...
If we elect Randy Brogdon governor you may come to regret this post.
Just sayin'
Quote from: swake on March 06, 2010, 12:22:53 AM
If we elect Randy Brogdon governor you may come to regret this post.
If Randy Brogdon is elected governor, I'll move back to Arkansas. :P
I cut and run like that.
Quote from: nathanm on March 06, 2010, 05:02:21 PM
If Randy Brogdon is elected governor, I'll move back to Arkansas. :P
I cut and run like that.
Like when Barbara Streissand (sp?) left the country when G W Bush was elected?