Police in Decatur, Alabama, Bust Illegal Gambling Den, Arrest Five Suspects

Key Points The police had been receiving calls about the alleged gambling den for months During the raid, they discovered several gambling machines, lots of cash, and a rifle Alabama remains one of the strictest states in terms of allowing gambling

Key Points

The police had been receiving calls about the alleged gambling den for months

During the raid, they discovered several gambling machines, lots of cash, and a rifle

Alabama remains one of the strictest states in terms of allowing gambling

Police in Decatur, Alabama, busted an alleged gambling den that held numerous gambling devices and even an assault rifle. Five people were arrested and charged with various crimes, ranging from illegal promotion of gambling to possessing marijuana.

Decatur, Alabama

Police Raid Results in Five Arrests

Over the past months, police had been receiving multiple signals about a home in southwest Decatur in the 1000 block of Hoover Avenue SW, with callers alleging the house is being used as an illegal gambling den. Finally, on October 20, the Decatur Police Department, its Vice/Narcotics Unit, Special Enforcement Team, and Special Weapons and Tactical Unit executed a search warrant on the property.

1000 block of Hoover Avenue SW

October 20

Decatur Police Department

ice/Narcotics Unit, Special Enforcement Team

Special Weapons and Tactical Unit

The search produced several gambling machines, an undisclosed sum of cash, and even an assault rifle. Five people were arrested during the raid, charged, and released on bond later that day. The suspects and their charges are:

Riley Clinkscale – simple gambling

Victoria Ross – simple gambling and second-degree possession of marijuana

Marilyn Campbell – simple gambling

Javonne Sears – promoting gambling and violation of a protection order

Maher Alqassari – promoting gambling

Is Gambling In Alabama Legal?

Alabama has some of the strictest gambling laws in the US. The state generally prohibits gambling devices, effectively restricting the operation of commercial casinos. However, tribal casinos are legal and make up all of the casino operations in the state. 

The federally recognized Poarch Band of Creek Indians legally operates three gaming properties in the state under tribal and federal law. Although Alabama recognizes eight other tribes, they do not have the same federally recognized tribal status and therefore cannot operate casinos under the same legal framework.

Poarch Band of Creek Indians

eight other tribes

Greyhound racing and betting is also legal in Alabama, which is somewhat unusual, considering 39 other states have banned the practice. However, there are currently no active greyhound racing tracks in the state after Victoryland closed its in 2011. A year prior, the venue also closed its casino, leaving the Poarch Band of Creek Indians the only casino operator in the state. 

Victoryland

2011

However, this hasn’t stopped other casino companies from trying to break through in the state. Recently, VGW, the company behind Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Casino, and Global Poker, has increased its lobbying efforts in Alabama by donating to Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s gubernatorial campaign.

VGW

Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Casino,

Global Poker

Sen.

Tommy Tuberville

alabama

casino

crime

north america

usa