Alabama is taking a hard line against gambling establishments using digital bingo devices, asserting they are in breach of state regulations. State Attorney General Steve Marshall is spearheading the effort, initiating legal proceedings against gambling venues in five counties. The legal actions focus not just on the casinos themselves, but also the manufacturers and suppliers of the machines. Furthermore, local government bodies tasked with issuing licenses and regulating bingo activities are implicated in the suits.
Although the gambling establishments contend that their digital bingo games are lawful Class II devices under federal regulations, the highest court in Alabama has consistently determined that these devices are essentially slot machines, thus falling under the state’s prohibition on Class III gambling. This legal dispute underscores the continuing controversy surrounding the categorization of digital bingo and its standing in Alabama.
The top legal official in Alabama, Steve Marshall, is taking a hard line against digital bingo devices, initiating legal action against a pair of gaming establishments in Greene County. Marshall contends that these devices breach state regulations, referencing recent decisions by the Alabama Supreme Court that deemed electronic bingo to be unlawful wagering.
Luther Winn, head of Greenetrack, one of the establishments facing legal action, conveyed his dismay and pledged to contest the lawsuit. He asserts that the games are lawful in Greene County, pointing to a constitutional amendment endorsed by voters that permits such gaming activities.
This legal move puts at risk the livelihoods of 115 individuals employed by the gaming establishments, positions that offer competitive wages, health coverage, and retirement plans. Moreover, the lawsuit endangers financial support for Greene County’s emergency response services, as both the 911 system and the county’s firefighting unit depend significantly on income produced by the bingo enterprises.
