VictoryLand attorney Mark White released this statement in response to VictoryLand closing its gaming facility, hotel, restaurants and race track last week:

"As Alabama families go to church on Sunday we ask them to pray for the more than 5,000 Alabama families who lost their job this week due to actions by Governor Bob Riley and his so-called anti-gambling task force.

“Almost every Alabama family is hurting right now. The 5,000 people who have lost their job in the past week because of Governor Riley's political agenda want to work and provide for their families. To the governor this is a political issue, but to these families it is the difference between being able to pay rent, buy groceries, pay doctor bills and provide the other basics needed for their family to survive.

“In Macon County, almost 80% of the citizens voted to allow electronic bingo which is clearly legal. Unfortunately, the only winners from the actions of Governor Riley are the casinos in Mississippi who are supporting and funding his efforts at every turn. The losers are the 5,000 Alabamians who have lost their jobs and all of the people of Alabama who are being denied the right to vote on this issue once and for all.”

Meanwhile John Tyson, Jr., commander of the Governor's Task Force on Illegal Gambling released this statement:

MONTGOMERY - John Tyson, Jr., Commander of the Governor's Task Force on Illegal Gambling, today released a statement in response to recent developments in illegal gambling law enforcement.

On Friday, 14 electronic bingo slot machine casinos in Jefferson County closed after Bessemer Cutoff District Attorney Arthur Green and Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale demanded that casino owners shut down operations. In neighboring Blount County, Sheriff Lloyd Arrington raided a secret casino confiscating illegal machines and making appropriate arrests.

Tyson praised these fellow law enforcement officials for their efforts to enforce the law and requested that nearby Greenetrack, close down its illegal slot machine operation.

"The Task Force has confirmed that the illegal slot machine casino operations have ceased in Jefferson County," Tyson said. "Additionally, a speak-easy casino in Blount County was raided yesterday by the Sheriff's office and is no longer operational. On behalf of Governor Riley and the Task Force on Illegal Gambling, I want to thank Jefferson County District Attorney Arthur Green, Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale and Blount Count Sheriff Lloyd Arrington for ensuring the rule of law prevails in their jurisdictions.

"Currently, the dog track in nearby Greene County continues to operate illegal slot machines. We are requesting that Greenetrack shut down its illegal 'bingo' slot machines. The legal dog track and traditional paper bingo games obviously have nothing to worry about and there is no legal reason those parts of Greenetrack cannot continue to operate as usual.

"The Task Force is also calling on casino operators and slot machine owners to get their illegal machines out of the State of Alabama immediately if they wish to avoid seizure of those machines. Casino operators and slot machine owners should contact Department of Public Safety for verification if they wish to take advantage of this opportunity.

"The Supreme Court has spoken. The time for rhetoric is over. The rule of law will be upheld in Alabama."