Authorities Raid Two Alleged Gambling Sites in Jackson County

Computer gambling determined to be illegal by authorities.
By Sid Riley

Bingo is in…
Lotteries are in….(If operated by the Government)
Dog tracks are in…..( If operated by the Government)
Horse Racing is in…. (If operated by the Government)
Jai Alai is in…..( If operated by the Government)
Tribal casinos are in…..(If the Government gets a part of profits)
Computer gambling is OUT !

That is the position which has been taken by State Attorney Glen Hess and area law officials regarding a growing, new approach to publically using the internet as a means of gambling. For several months officials have been observing activities at two locations in Jackson County, one was the ALLIED VETERANS . 42 located in the Oak Street Station Shopping Center in Marianna, and the other was CHILDREN”S CANCER COOPERATIVE, INC. located near the Alabama State line on U.S. 231.

After months of deliberation and research relating to the legality of the activities at these establishments, on Saturday the authorities reached a decision and assembled a posse of police officers to conduct raids, seizure of equipment and records, and execution of closure orders at both sites. The State’s Attorney Office, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, the Florida Highway Patrol, the FDLE, Marianna Police Department, Cottondale Police Department, and investigators from Bay County were all involved in the investigations or seizure action. The owners were not on site at either location. The owners are reportedly based in other states.

The troops arrived armed with search warrants issued by Judge Wright for alleged violations of state electronic gaming laws. The operations were attempting to function under the laws which allow bingo playing when a portion of the proceeds are being given to a certified charity. Arrest warrants may be issued against the owners of these businesses, a decision which will be made by State Attorney Glen Hess within the next few days. “For now, our main objective was to shut down these illegal gambling operations. We do not want them functioning within our district”, State Attorney Hess stated emphatically.

Reportedly, the owner of the Marianna establishment resides in South Carolina, while the business on U.S. 231 is owned by an individual in Texas. Prosecution may be made more difficult since the owners are not local citizens.

It is also our understanding that some Florida counties are allowing these types of gaming businesses to continue to operate, while the activity is banned in other areas. It appears that publically operated computerized gambling is illegal in Jackson County.