Harry Still III, a candidate for Alabama Attorney General, said he is passionate about enforcing Alabama’s laws.
“If I get elected, [illegal casinos] are on notice that on Jan. 1, I am going to chop any illegal gambling device into match sticks,” Still said.
Still explained that the Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that bingo is a game played on paper cards, so every electronic bingo machine in the state, other than those used by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PCI) on tribal lands, is illegal under Alabama law.
Still is challenging incumbent Steve Marshall in the Republican primary on May 24.
Still claimed that if Steve Marshall cannot enforce the state constitutional ban on illegal gaming, then he cannot be trusted to enforce the state constitutional ban on abortion if the expected U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade comes down.
The current governor has an executive order in place preventing ALEA personnel from being used to enforce the state constitutional ban on gaming.
Still said that there is a video circulating showing that a casino in Greene County has an app where people anywhere in the state can play illegal gambling games online from their mobile devices. Still said that that facility should be targeted by the state.
“If you shut down [this] facility and tie [the owner] up in court and try to put him in jail, the others will get the message and leave the state,” Still said.
When asked if a local sheriff, county commission, or city council has the legal authority to award gambling licenses to facilities in their jurisdiction, Still stood by the authority of the state.
“Negatory,” Still said. “That a sheriff would think that he has the knowledge to set gaming regulations - that is laughable."
Still said that during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, Baldwin County Sheriff Hoss Mack (R) announced that he was not going to enforce a state health order.
“Whatever your opinion on the subject, a sheriff does not have the authority to override a state mandate,” Still said.
Still said that he sued Sheriff Mack in court over the issue, but Baldwin County Presiding Judge Clark Stankoski found in favor of the sheriff.
“That was a terrible ruling,” Still said.
Still maintained that the current attorney general has not done enough to prosecute white-collar crimes and curb violent crimes.
Still claimed that special interests control the state legislature: “People have lost faith in their government.”
“There are at least four state senators who would be in jail,” if Still were attorney general, he claimed.
Still also said that the current attorney general has not done enough to prosecute corporations that pollute the state and promised to investigate and prosecute those issues should he be elected.
The winner of the Republican primary for attorney general will face Democratic candidate Wendell Major in the Nov. 8 general election.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandon.moseley@1819News.com.
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