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Court rules against gambling machines return to Alabama casino

In this July 31, 2015 photo provided by Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino, part of a casino floor is shown in Murphy, N.C. The Cherokee tribe in North Carolina is betting it can boost its income and solidify its hold on gamblers in the Southeast by opening a second casino, even at a time of slow growth in the gambling industry. The casino opening Sept. 28 in the state’s western corner will bring slots and blackjack tables an hour closer to Atlanta, a top source of visitors. (AP Photo/Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino), In this July 31, 2015 photo provided by Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino, part of a casino floor is shown in Murphy, N.C. The Cherokee tribe in North Carolina is betting it can boost its income and solidify its hold on gamblers in the Southeast by opening a second casino, even at a time of slow growth in the gambling industry. The casino opening Sept. 28 in the state’s western corner will bring slots and blackjack tables an hour closer to Atlanta, a top source of visitors. (AP Photo/Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino),

By Associated Press March 31, 2016 1 min read

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled against VictoryLand casino saying electronic gambling machines seized there in 2013 are illegal.

Justices issued the opinion Thursday. The court says the electronic bingo machines, which resemble slot machines, we’re not what was intended by state laws allowing card and paper type bingo games.

Justices wrote that they hoped this was the final decision in the state’s lone-running legal war over the gambling devices.

The court ruled that the state could keep machines and money seized at the Macon County casino during a 2013 state raid.

A circuit judge had previously ruled that it was unfair for the state to take action against VictoryLand when other bingo casinos remained open.