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Read Full BioFort Payne Police conducted a raid on three locations in DeKalb County, seizing 38 illegal gambling machines and over $7200 in cash.
In a Facebook post, the police department also announced the arrest of one man, Gael Garcia, 20, from Albertville. Garcia has been charged with possession of gambling devices, conspiracy to promote gambling, promoting gambling, and possession of gambling records.
Under Alabama’s strict anti-gambling laws, all charges carry a prison sentence of up to one year and/or a fine. Facebook users highlighted Garcia’s age and suggested he was taking responsibility, as the real owners of the business escaped punishment.
Police reported receiving several tips that the locations on Gault Ave S and Gault Ave N were operating an illegal gambling business. The machines were found to be making cash payouts.
Raids Rise in Alabama
The raid is the latest in a series of actions by law enforcement to tackle illegal gambling operations in Alabama. The businesses often combine drugs and gambling, attracting the attention of police.
Earlier this month, DeKalb County police raided a house where illegal gambling was taking place and seized 101 grams of methamphetamine, fentanyl, marijuana, and numerous items of drug paraphernalia.
In the raid at a residence on Hammonds Road in Fyffe, police arrested 16 individuals on drug charges, with the investigation into the illegal gambling ongoing.
Other recent raids include:
| Apr 30, 2025 | Jefferson County (Lipscomb & Pinson Valley Rd) | Alabama Attorney General’s office raided two bingo halls, seizing 230 machines. |
| Jun 28, 2025 | Jefferson County (Brighton, Midfield, Bessemer, Lipscomb) | AG’s office shut down 10 illegal gaming businesses; nearly 1,000 slot machines seized. |
| Sep 19, 2025 | Brundidge (Pike County) – Marathon gas station, US 231 | Search warrant executed; machines and over $25,000 in cash seized. |
District Attorney James Tarbox, who was involved in the execution of the Pike County raid, said that the illegal gambling is connected to other crimes. Tarbox stated, “This is unregulated gambling, and in my experience, these types of unregulated gambling activities lead to other illegal activities being conducted by people with nefarious intentions.”
Alabama Struggles to Stop Unregulated Gambling
While law enforcement attempts to shut down illegal operations, they are often fighting a losing battle. Businesses can open in new locations, under new names, or as unlisted enterprises, as was the case in DeKalb County.
The state has also failed to tackle unregulated online gambling successfully. After a Georgia judge dismissed a lawsuit against sweepstakes casino operator VGW, platforms relaunched in Georgia and Alabama.
There remain at least a dozen active lawsuits against sweepstakes casinos in Alabama. With no centralized gambling regulator, the state has been unable to take decisive action against unregulated gambling, as seen in other states. It is instead left to local law enforcement and the Attorney General to tackle businesses offering gambling.
Calls for Regulation
As a result of the challenges of cracking down on illegal gambling, there have been calls for the state to relax laws and establish its own regulatory framework.
Last year, a bill was introduced proposing the creation of the Alabama Gaming Commission to regulate casino-style gaming, sports wagering, and a state lottery.
However, support fell short in the Senate. Earlier this year, Senate President Garlan Gudger said that passing gambling legislation in the chamber would require “long-term and intense negotiations among members.”
In the meantime, further gambling options have emerged for Alabama residents in the form of prediction markets. Underdog, for example, now offers users the chance to place parlays in Alabama through its partnership with Crypto.com. Sweepstakes casinos also continue to operate.
Until there are more legal options, it appears many will seek out places in the state where they can gamble illicitly, such as those shut down in the latest raid.
