Letters of correspondence have surfaced between Alabama State Governor Robert Bentley and officials of law enforcement that suggest VictoryLand Casino has earned the right to reopen their electronic bingo hall. The correspondence first started when Andre Brunson, the Macon County Sheriff, and District Attorney E. Paul Jones wrote a letter to Bentley on December 4th to thank him for giving an executive order to turn gambling regulation over to local law officials. In the letter, both Jones and Brunson outlined plans to inspect electronic bingo machines that will be located at VictoryLand.

In the letter, it was promised that the machines would be subjected to testing and certification conducted by an independent laboratory to make sure the machines meet the ‘constitutional governing regulations’ that are set in Macon County. The plan is to issue guarantees to vendors that notices will be given to allow 60 days for any machine to be removed, if it does not meet these regulations.

In his response, Bentley thanked Brunson and Jones for their work in the matter and confirmed the steps that had been outlined that would satisfy his office that the gaming machines in Macon County were indeed legal. Bentley stated he is satisfied with the terms and conditions outlined in the letter and has every confidence that the law will be enforced in the county as it is applied to the gambling issue.

Despite Bentley’s agreement with the gaming machine outline, it is not clear as to if Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange is in agreement. The office of Strange received copies of the letters between officials and Bentley, and has yet to comment on the subject. Strange has not backed down from his previous position, having signed agreements with vendors of electronic bingo gaming that prevents VictoryLand as well as other non-Indian casinos from using the machines.

Just last month, the office of Strange released a statement that read the electronic bingo machines are considered illegal due to a ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court. Nothing has changed, according to Strange, since the 2011 manufacturers agreement was signed to voluntarily remove the gambling machines from the state.