‘Vegas style’ slot machine raids

Published 11:30 am Monday, August 9, 2010

The owners and operators of the four Fultondale locations that had slot machines confiscated from them on Wednesday could face felony and a range of misdemeanor charges, according to Jefferson County District Attorney Brandon Falls.

Additionally, patrons who played on the machines could face misdemeanor charges, according to Deputy District Attorney Brady Rigdon.

Owners and operators (possibly including managers) could face such charges as promoting gambling, possession of gambling records and possession of a gambling device. Rigdon said some business owners were arrested on Thursday.

Falls said the seizures were not part of Gov. Bob Riley’s task force on illegal gambling.

“I don’t think there’s any claim that these were bingo machines,” said Falls. “These were old-fashioned, straight-up Vegas-style slot machines.”

Falls said his office received complaints several months ago about the slot machines from callers that were probably Jefferson County citizens. He said Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputies warned the business owners that the machines were illegal.

“They were actually removed from the businesses,” said Falls. “Then we received reports that they had returned. I contacted ABI [Alabama Bureau of Investigation] because I felt they had expertise in this area.”

Falls said the machines could be considered illegal because they fall under Alabama code 13A-12-20.

“Basically the code says, if you put money or something else in the machine to start it and, through player interaction or automatically, it has a chance of ejecting something of value, then the machine is illegal,” he said.

Falls said any time gambling devices or equipment is seized, law enforcement reports the seizure to the district attorney or the attorney general. Then, a civil forfeiture is filed to condemn the money and the machines. Falls said the machines are destroyed, and the money goes into the state’s general fund.

Alabama State Trooper Chad Joiner was present at three of the four Fultondale locations when they were raided. He said all the business owners were cooperative with law enforcement.

He described the location on the outskirts of Fultondale known only as “Robert’s” as having barely enough room for the 47 slot machines that were confiscated. He said they were lined up around the perimeter walls, and that the building was empty after the machines were removed.

“When we arrived, there were six or seven patrons inside,” he said. “They were ID’d and released.”

Rigdon said Robert Summers, the operator of Robert’s, could be charge with suppression of a gambling place, which basically makes it illegal to have surveillance equipment that could warn of approaching law enforcement.

“He had a gate, a buzzer and cameras,” said Rigdon.

ABI obtained warrants on the Fultondale American Legion after the Alabama Beverage Control Board saw the slot machines while doing an inspection for a liquor license, according to Joiner. He said the machines were in plain sight.

Falls said the six slot machines at Oysters & Stuff were in a back room.