ABI shuts down 5 bingo halls
Published 12:00 am Thursday, April 8, 2010
BIRMINGHAM (AP) — The Alabama Bureau of Investigation has raided five gaming operations across Jefferson County because of slot-style electronic bingo machines.
State officers simultaneously raided halls in Birmingham, Tarrant, Grayson Valley and Gardendale on Wednesday afternoon, confiscating machines from each location.
Jefferson County District Attorney Brandon Falls says he asked the ABI to conduct the raids after warning the operators the machines were illegal and giving them time to shut down on their own.
Falls warned last month that the operators of such businesses could be prosecuted.
The governor’s antigambling task force has raided larger operations outside of the Birmingham area..