Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said the shutdowns were carried out by his office and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, as well as FBI and DEA agents. Hoover police also assisted.
“These facilities were operating in blatant disregard in violation of state law and apparently without any fear of reprisal,’’ Marshall said at a press conference held Thursday outside Super Highway Bingo on Bessemer Super Highway in Brighton.
“If you drive around where these facilities are located, you’ll notice that while these facilities are raking in tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash every month, they are not lifting these communities up,” he said.
“Nobody’s property values have increased as a result of these facilities,’’ Marshall said. “The economies in these areas have not improved. No neighborhood has flourished as a result of the presence of these so-called casinos.”
Marshall said his office obtained temporary restraining orders against 14 illegal gambling facilities in Jefferson County involving more than 2,400 illegal slot machines and multiple non-profit and for-profit entities.
Here is the list of businesses shut down:
Shoot the Moon Bingo, 615 Bessemer Superhighway, Midfield/ Paradise, 3528 Main Street, Brighton /Legion Bingo, 7070 Aaron Aronov Drive, Fairfield / Kings & Queens Bingo, 6556 Aaron Aronov Drive, Fairfield / Charity Bingo, 1266 Forestdale Square, Birmingham /Jay’s Charity Bingo, 1329 Eastern Valley Road, Bessemer / Just the Right Time Bingo (Bam Bamz), 1074 Forestdale Boulevard, Birmingham / Magic City Bingo, 315 36th Street, Fairfield / Plaza Bingo, 1421 Forestdale Boulevard, Birmingham / Jay’s Charity Bingo, 5130 Bessemer Superhighway, Brighton /Pinson Valley Bingo, 5115 Pinson Valley Parkway, Pinson / Skills Bingo, 1612 Forestdale Boulevard, Birmingham / American Legion #1228 Graysville Bingo, 1523 South Main Street, Graysville / Superhighway Bingo, 5131 Bessemer Superhighway Brighton
Many people said they believes Marshall’s actions are politically motivated. “They’re unfairly targeting Jefferson County in particular, and Blacks in general,’’ he said. “That’s what I feel like. I think they’re targeting Jefferson County because it’s a staple of democrats, liberals or whatever you want to call it. "
The TRO’s require the facilities to cease all operations, the property cannot be used or accessed, and there can be no further financial transactions connected with the facility or those operating the facility until further orders from the Circuit Court of Jefferson County.
No arrests have been made.
State and federal agents, led by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall's Office, shut down 14 bingo halls in Jefferson County. (Carol Robinson)
Here is the list of businesses shut down:
- Shoot the Moon Bingo, 615 Bessemer Superhighway, Midfield
- Paradise, 3528 Main Street, Brighton
- Legion Bingo, 7070 Aaron Aronov Drive, Fairfield
- Kings & Queens Bingo, 6556 Aaron Aronov Drive, Fairfield
- Charity Bingo, 1266 Forestdale Square, Birmingham
- Jay’s Charity Bingo, 1329 Eastern Valley Road, Bessemer
- Just the Right Time Bingo (Bam Bamz), 1074 Forestdale Boulevard, Birmingham
- Magic City Bingo, 315 36th Street, Fairfield
- Plaza Bingo, 1421 Forestdale Boulevard, Birmingham
- Jay’s Charity Bingo, 5130 Bessemer Superhighway, Brighton
- Pinson Valley Bingo, 5115 Pinson Valley Parkway, Pinson
- Skills Bingo, 1612 Forestdale Boulevard, Birmingham
- American Legion #1228 Graysville Bingo, 1523 South Main Street, Graysville
- Superhighway Bingo, 5131 Bessemer Superhighway Brighton
Marshall previously took legal action against four of these same gambling facilities in Jefferson County in 2019; pursued and obtained injunctions against illegal gambling operations in Macon and Lowndes counties as illegal nuisances; and obtained judgment against Greenetrack in Greene County which resulted in the State of Alabama receiving a final judgment for $76 million in unpaid taxes.
State and federal agents, led by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall's Office, shut down 14 bingo halls in Jefferson County. (Carol Robinson)
Marshall said he finds it interesting that nobody talks about the pitfalls of having illegal gambling facilities.
“The law-abiding citizens who live around these facilities and who own property in these areas are the forgotten victims of these type of establishments, establishments that are historically associated with thefts, fraud, gangs, drugs and ultimately violence,’’ the attorney general said.
“The good people of these communities deserve better than illicit casinos in their neighborhoods, and they deserve to have elected officials who are willing to keep it out,’’ he said.
“I’m familiar with the chatter and the narrative that arrives anytime that my office cracks down on illegal gambling,’’ he said. “People say that gambling isn’t hurting anybody or that some how there are other real problems for us to solve.”
“Y’all, we don’t get to pick and choose the laws in which we enforce,’’ he said. “And certainly, you prioritize your resources but you cannot just ignore rampant gambling that’s going on across your county.”
Marshall did not say why the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was not involved in Tuesday’s countywide operation.
Sheriff Mark Pettway has faced criticism for his handling of bingo halls amid allegations that he was allowing them to operate, against state law, to help his brother, Bruce Pettway.
“My brother does not own any bingo here in Jefferson County nor is he a partner in bingo nor does he have any investment in bingo,’’ Pettway said in a previous interview with AL.com. “He was a partner in Greene County years ago but that was dissolved before I even became sheriff.”
The sheriff office has said previously, and repeatedly, said that addressing violent crime is a priority of the sheriff’s office, not enforcing gambling laws.
Sheriff’s officials on Wednesday declined comment following the closure of the bingo halls and Marshall’s press conference.
Marshall said the investigation is ongoing.
“The chairman of the county commission asked for our office’s resources as well as various legislators and numerous citizens and so we are here,’’ he said. “There will be more to come as we examine all of the evidence collected. Laws are laws.”
“Gambling is illegal in Alabama as the Supreme Court has recently affirmed,’’ he said. “Allowing the illegal gambling to operate freely in broad daylight is offensive to the rule of law and we simply aren’t going to tolerate it.”
“The reality is they’ve been allowed to open and continue,’’ Marshall said. “Yesterday’s operation is a step in making sure they’re closed.”
“I can’t speak for local officials and why they’ve allowed it to continue, but what I saw inside this room is illegal in the state of Alabama and it undermines the legitimacy of law enforcement to be able to allow that to continue, he said.
Several citizens, including a bingo hall worker, attended the attorney general’s press conference.
Jesse Thompson, 70, has worked at Super Highway Bingo for years.
“Everybody that comes in here are decent people, older people, they come from church sometimes,’’ Thompson told AL.com. “I think they’re shutting it down because it all has to do with Montgomery and the attorney general. He just wants everybody to know he’s got his hands on everything.”
“It hurts people that work here every day,’’ Thompson said. “They’re not trying to get food stamps, they’re making honest money.”
Thompson said he believes Marshall’s actions are politically motivated.
“They’re unfairly targeting Jefferson County in particular, and Blacks in general,’’ he said. “That’s what I feel like. I think they’re targeting Jefferson County because it’s a staple of democrats, liberals or whatever you want to call it. "
“People should be able to do what they want to with their money,’’ he said. “It’s an injustice.”
“In these times, everybody needs a little bit of relaxation,’’ he said. “I may not can go to Aruba, but I can go to the bingo hall. I don’t even play bingo, but to each his own.”
Marshall said there are plenty of other jobs available.
“All I can say is there are opportunities to work at lawful businesses throughout this state and throughout this community,’’ he said. “This is not an economic development situation behind me. This is an illegal operation that can’t be allowed to continue.”
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The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have warned that an unregistered gaming site is fraudulently using the Casino Rama name in social media advertising to draw unsuspecting players to its own site.
In a joint advisory, the OPP and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) said that online gambling adverts that have been promoting gaming offerings allegedly provided by Casino Rama have no association with the Gateway Casinos & Entertainment-operated casino. In reality, the ads direct the public to a website belonging to WinSpirit Casino, which operates as an unregistered gaming platform. The OPP’s Investigation and Enforcement Bureau (IEB) was notified of the suspected fraudulent marketing on April 11.
“Residents of Ontario who opt for online gambling are urged to exercise caution when encountering such advertisements and to verify that the gaming site they intend to use is registered with the AGCO,” the OPP said in a statement.
Police stress that Casino Rama has no affiliation with any unregistered online casinos. The IEB and AGCO jointly reminded the public to exercise caution when choosing to access online casino gaming sites found through social media advertisements.
The lawsuit, filed under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), targets high-level executives at Grand Casino Hinckley, Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Treasure Island Resort and Casino.
The lawsuit claims that these casinos have an “unlawful and unfair competitive advantage” by offering Class III card games without authorization from the state of Minnesota and tribal gaming compacts.
Running Aces President and CEO Taro Ito said: “All we have always sought is to be treated fairly, compete on a level playing field, take advantage of improvements within the pari-mutuel betting environment and operate without fear of being eliminated.”
It is our sincerest wish to have our day in court and let Class III games of chance include popular casino games such as slot machines, video poker, roulette, craps, baccarat and blackjack. It is carried out under a compact negotiated between each tribe and the state government.
Running Aces seeks to recover damages and seeks an injunction against the alleged illegal gambling activities.
Two Delaware legislators are looking to shake up the state’s sports betting market, which just saw its first online sportsbook launch in December.
Reps. Frank Cooke and William Bush introduced HB 365 Thursday. The bill authorizes two skins each for the state’s three casinos.
In June 2018, Delaware was the first state outside of Nevada to take a legal single sport bet after the repeal of PASPA, but progress has moved at a glacial pace since then. BetRivers is now the sole provider of Delaware sports betting through a multi-year agreement signed last year.
How a transition would work should the bill pass is not entirely clear. Requests for comment from sponsors, the Delaware Lottery and Rush Street Interactive went unreturned by publication.
Delaware sports betting bill details
The biggest note about HB 365 is that it gives operators incentive to hand out promotions to acquire bettors. Sportsbooks could deduct 2.5% of monthly handle from taxable revenue through June 2025. That drops to a flat 2% moving forward in July 2025.
That deduction amount could be raised by the director of the Delaware Lottery at their discretion “when … the interests of the lottery system will be served thereby.”
The sportsbooks would be taxed at 18% of adjusted gross sports lottery receipts, which is revenue minus promotions and the federal excise tax. Another 1.5% of that adjusted revenue would be contributed to horse racing purses.
If pieces of legislation had a measurable pulse, a bill to give tribal authorities within Maine exclusive control over online casino play in the state might be showing a faint signal right now. That proposal is effectively in need of some emergency intervention at this time.
On Tuesday, the Maine House of Representatives narrowly communicated a negative sentiment on the bill. While the Maine Senate has an opportunity to keep the bill alive, it might be prolonging the inevitable.
Maine online casino bill meets fate in State House
While there was optimism around the proposal to legalize online casino play in Maine under the auspices of tribal gaming authorities earlier this week, that took a turn. On April 9, LD17771 failed in the Maine House by three votes, 71-74.
“The hope is the Senate will pass and we will recede and concur. Now, folks are on the record and folks can try to flip their votes.”
The bill’s sponsor, Maine Rep. Laura D. Supica, told Randy Billings of the Portland Press Herald2 that “much of the concern comes from the fact that it is exclusively for the tribes.” Billings also reported that other members of the state House would like to see online casino licenses available for the state’s commercial brick-and-mortar casino operators, supporting Supica’s assessment.
It’s a unique wrinkle in Maine’s legislative process that is giving LD1777 one last chance to progress.
Maine legislative staff have estimated4 that in its first full fiscal year, Maine would reap over $4.6 million in tax revenue off online casino play under the tenets of LD1777. There has been some concern that the bill’s 16% tax rate for such gaming is too low. That could be something that a last-minute amendment this week or a new bill in 2025 might address.
For her part, Supica proposes that the new gaming could produce $100 million for the state over the next five years. Among the state services LD1777 earmarks tax revenue for are the Gambling Addiction Prevention and Treatment Fund in addition to the Emergency Housing Relief Fund.
Iowa bettors look to have enjoyed a second straight Final Four run by Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes as sports betting handle in March jumped 17.1% to $272.4 million according to figures released by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
In terms of dollars, handle was nearly $40 million higher as Clark — a generational talent of both women’s and college basketball — captivated the nation with her scoring prowess in rewriting the NCAA college record books. Handle was also 68.7% higher than the $161.4 million worth of wagers placed in March 2021, which was Clark’s first NCAA Women’s Tournament and the first year Hawkeye State bettors could legally wager on "March Madness” since the 2020 edition was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was the sixth-highest handle in 56 months of wagering in Iowa and the fifth above $250 million in the last six months. Though the IRGC does not disclose handle and revenue by sport, Iowa’s three wins during the NCAA Tournament in March — the Hawkeyes beat 2023 champion LSU in the regional final April 1 — likely contributed to the 6.7% statewide hold.
Iowa bettors are not allowed to place player prop bets on college games involving in-state schools.
Revenue was down 8.4% compared to last year as the hold was nearly two full percentage points lower than March 2023. The state collected $1.2 million in taxes for the month, lifting the total for the first quarter of 2024 to $3.6 million.
You know it’s a good month for bettors when…
The win rate from wagers placed via sports betting apps was 6.6% as Iowa’s 19 mobile sportsbooks generated $252 million handle for March. DraftKings and FanDuel were 1-2 as expected, but FanDuel’s 7.6% hold marked the first time the digital juggernaut had back-to-back months with a sub-10% win rate since June and July in 2022.
FanDuel did reach a pair of milestones in the Hawkeye State, surpassing $1.5 billion handle with $67.7 million worth of bets in March, and also cleared $125 million in all-time revenue after collecting $5.1 million in winnings. DraftKings, meanwhile, narrowly missed its second month with $100 million handle, coming up $1.2 million short with its second-best month of action behind last November. It had a 6.7% hold to claim $6.7 million in revenue and pace all mobile books.
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