A Jefferson County judge today found that more than 300 electronic bingo devices confiscated during raids last year are illegal gambling machines and should be turned over to the state.
Jefferson County Presiding Judge Scott Vowell, in his order issued today, also determined $4,260 confiscated during the raids are profits from gambling and should be awarded to the state's General Fund.
Law enforcement officials in May and August raided five electronic bingo halls that were operating in Jefferson County, confiscating 329 gaming machines and the $4,260. The bingo halls were in Pinson, Center Point, Tarrant and Oak Grove.
In December, Vowell during a bench trial heard arguments from the plantiff, Jefferson County District Attorney's office, and the defendants, the operators of the bingo halls, regarding the legality of the machines.
Vowell said in his order that the machines that defense attorneys asserted only offered bingo games are "slot machines or gambling devices" and " do not play bingo" as provided by state law.
Vowell did not order the machines destroyed as prescribed by state law, instead finding that some other use could be found for the computers that will be turned over to the Alabama Department of Public Safety.
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