By Bob Howell – WSFA 12 News Anchor, Montgomery, AL

Here is our web story on the raid by the governor’s Illegal Gambling Task Force:

SHORTER & DOTHAN, AL (WSFA) - Governor Riley’s anti-gambling task force organized gambling raids on two big entertainment centers in South Alabama early Friday morning.

State troopers moved into Victoryland gaming center and demanded that all non-employees collect their winnings and exit the facility.

Our news reporter Bethany Wales was able to speak with a couple of gamers who were asked to leave the premises. Their responses were:

“It was scary. I don’t know what’s going on. I got out.”

“Victoryland has been around for a lot of years, and it has helped Macon county out.”

Victoryland workers are expected to report to work as usual.

Wales said the atmosphere was filled with anticipation as if something was about to happen. About a dozen moving trucks moved in front of the premises, but later parked in the nearby parking lot.

She said the attorney for Victoryland, Fred Gray, and the chief of the anti-gambling task force, John Tyson, have been in a meeting with a judge all morning. Victoryland managed to get a temporary restraining order signed against the task force, but state troopers still remain inside the center.

Governor Bob Riley and the president of Victoryland, Milton McGregor, have been at odds all week. McGregor hired a private investigator to follow the former chief of the governor’s task force.

The former chief, David Barber, resigned after his reported winnings at a Mississippi casino.

The scene is much calmer at Country Crossing. The building was chained and locked around 12:00 o’clock this morning.

State troopers are still waiting outside the facility for orders to raid.

Months ago, the Supreme Court ruled that “the definition of bingo is a game that is played with cards and numbers called out individually.” Given that definition, Governor Riley said it was a go to raid gaming centers.

WSFA 12 News will keep you updated on further developing details.

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