Gambling machines seized as evidence in state investigation stolen, turn up at Jefferson County bingo hall

Gambling machines seized in Selma by the state attorney general’s office as part of an illegal gambling investigation found their way to the back room of a Jefferson County bingo hall — identified by the stickers marking the machines as evidence.

A spokeswoman for Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall confirmed the machines seized in raids targeting illegal gambling in Selma were found Monday night by agents from Marshall’s office inside J’s Charity Bingo in Lipscomb.

The spokeswoman did not say what relationship, if any, there is between J’s and Selma Charity Bingo, where the machines were seized, or whether there were any arrests or charges related to the evidence being found at the Lipscomb bingo hall.

Last week, Marshall’s office announced it obtained temporary restraining orders against Selma Charity Bingo and four other establishments in the city the attorney general alleged to have conducted illegal gambling: Joker 777; Mini Bingo; Selma Bingo; and Lucky Duck.

Under the restraining orders, the facilities have to cease all operations and there can be no further financial transactions connected with the facility or those operating the facility until further orders from the Circuit Court of Dallas County.

Despite all of the facilities being locked up, authorities in Selma spotted machines being taken out of Selma Charity Bingo.

It was unclear how the machines were tracked to Jefferson County.