Law enforcement officers and investigators in Gadsden, Alabama recently raided several locations throughout the city “in an effort to crack down on illegal gambling,” according to a recent WBRC local news report.
Gadsden Police Street Crime Unit Sargent Jacob Entrekin told local news that the unit has received complaints regarding potential illegal activity at several local establishments.
He commented further, “The Street Crimes Unit received numerous complaints coming in regards to possibility of illegal gambling activity at several locations throughout the city, so over the course of the past several months we have conducted an investigation into these facilities which led to multiple search warrants being obtained.
“They’re non-taxed money that are collected by these individuals that are running these operations.”
Law enforcement said 12 machines were recovered from the Plumbers Pub on East Broad Street.
The initiative is part of a project Gasden Mayor Craig Ford started called Operation Jackpot. So far, Operation Jackpot has recovered $20,000 in cash and 88 machines, according to the local report.
State legislation recently ended its latest session without voting on expanded gambling. The Senate was to consider a bill that would legalize a state lottery, slot machines and video poker.
Lawmakers reached a stalemate on the most recent legal gambling bill after a push to advance the bill fell short by one vote in an earlier session.
A passing vote would have allowed Alabama players access to in-person sports betting, as well as to online sports wagering platforms. The bill would have also set up a state lottery and would authorize up to 10 casino locations with slot machines and table games.
