MONTGOMERY (AP) — Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board officials say the agency’s workers should not patronize gaming venues the agency has been trying to shut.

Chief Jeff Rogers, director of ABC’s Enforcement Division, issued a memo this week saying some employees have been patronizing Country Crossing and VictoryLand. He said anyone who patronizes those locations is participating in what the agency considers illegal activity.

VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor described the letter as “very offensive,” but said he wasn’t surprised to hear that ABC officials were among his customers.

Gov. Bob Riley has led a yearlong battle against machines that look and play much like illegal slot machines but dole out winnings based on computerized games of bingo. Riley’s office declined to comment on the memo.