Houston County Economic Development Authority v. Alabama

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The Houston County Economic Development Authority ("HEDA") appealed a judgment condemning 691 allegedly illegal gambling devices, $288,657.68 in cash, and various documents allegedly related to illegal gambling. The Office of the Alabama Attorney General executed a search warrant at a bingo gaming facility known as Center Stage Alabama ("Center Stage") located in Houston County. HEDA sought, and was granted, the right to intervene in the forfeiture action (HEDA operated Center Stage). The electronic-gaming devices used in the operation of Center Stage were leased by HEDA from each gaming device's respective manufacturer or developer. HEDA purportedly operated Center Stage under a "Class C Special Permit to Operate Bingo Games" granted by the Houston County Commission to operate charitable bingo games under Amendment No. 569 to the Alabama Constitution of 1901. In addition to offering electronic gaming and Roubingo, Center Stage also offered traditional "paper bingo," live entertainment, and a bar. The trial court concluded that the devices, including the electronic devices, computer servers, and Roubingo tables, constituted illegal gambling devices. The trial court further concluded that the United States currency and other seized "gambling paraphernalia" was being used in connection with an illegal gambling operation. The trial court ordered that "the gambling devices ... be destroyed or otherwise disposed of by the State of Alabama" and ordered the State to deposit the seized currency into the State's General Fund. The trial court denied HEDA's postjudgment motion, and HEDA timely appealed. Finding no reversible error, however, the Alabama Supreme Court affirmed the trial court's judgment. View "Houston County Economic Development Authority v. Alabama" on Justia Law