Alabama casino is reopening, with hundreds waiting

SHORTER, Ala. (AP) — A few hundred people are waiting for the reopening of VictoryLand casino in Shorter and greeting owner Milton McGregor with applause, hugs and handshakes.

The casino is reopening Tuesday after a two-year closure.

McGregor's attorney said about 400 of the casino's 1200 machines are operational for the soft opening and more will come online daily.

Marvin Chappell of Montgomery was among those waiting Tuesday. The disabled veteran and past regular customer said he was anxious to get back inside the casino and that the reopening will be a financial boost for struggling Macon County.

The reopening is likely to set up a confrontation with the state attorney general. Luther Strange said he offered VictoryLand the opportunity to go to court to prove its operations are legal but that didn't happen.