DEVELOPING NEWS: Federal judge refuses to block Ala. gambling raid

Published 4:06 pm Monday, February 1, 2010

MONTGOMERY (AP) — A federal judge has refused to block a raid on the Country Crossing bingo hall in Dothan.

Country Crossing had sought an order from U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson of Montgomery to block a raid by the Governor’s Task Force on Illegal Gambling. Thompson declined to issue a temporary restraining order Monday afternoon.

The judge said Country Crossing and the task force should address their issues in state court rather than federal court.

Country Crossing had turned to federal court after the task force sought to raid the casino, which has some 1,700 electronic bingo machines.