Failed bingo raid in Victoryland

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - It was a busy morning for Alabama's Illegal Gambling Task Force. Yet agents turned up empty handed after a pair of failed raids. John Tyson, Jr., who heads up the force, said one of the locations had 8,000 electronic bingo machines. He said the machines, no matter what you call them, are simply slots and illegal.

Before the sun came up, state troopers swarmed Victoryland in Shorter, Alabama. They were prepared to confiscate thousands of illegal electronic bingo machines. Yet officers were turned away at the door for lack of a search warrant.

From the steps of the state capitol, Tyson said they didn't need a search warrant because they witnessed a crime.

"An officer is authorized to seize that contraband and arrest if necessary, without the necessary search warrant or arrest warrant. That happens every day in every circuit in this state," said Tyson.

Tyson said there are some 8,000 machines inside Victoryland and another 10,000 in storage.

A judge ordered a temporary restraining order and officers backed off, leaving behind the bingo machines. Tyson called them nothing more than slots.

"A slot is a slot is a slot and the people of Alabama have spoken that is illegal," added Tyson.

Tyson said what's happening in Shorter is important in Mobile County, especially with cities like Chickasaw looking to break into the electronic bingo business.

"If you want to change the constitution and change statutes, I would be very happy to go home," said Tyson.

Until the law is changed, Tyson and his Illegal Gambling Task Force plan to enforce the law.

Tyson said he has asked an Alabama Supreme Court judge to lift the restraining order. FOX10 spoke to someone from Victoryland who said closing down would put 2,000 people out of work.

Country Crossing in Dothan was also at the center of a failed raid it closed down before agents arrived. Tyson said it got about 2,000 electronic bingo machines.