We will keep busting them: Anniston police seize 59 gaming machines after warning of raids – AL.com

With help from federal and state authorities, Anniston police seized 59 gaming machines, a gun and cash from illegal gambling establishments following raids Thursday morning, the citys police chief said.

Chief Nick Bowles said he gave the establishments notice after a similar raid a few months ago but the illegal businesses did not heed his warning.

I told you, I guess people thought I was playing, people thought it was a joke, Bowles said in a Facebook video announcing the busts. The department was aided by the FBI and the Calhoun County Sheriffs Office in serving the warrants associated with the raids.

Bowles likened the gambling establishments to annoying flies.

Absolutely, we have better things to do than bust illegal gambling sites, the chief said. But its like when yourecooking a home-cooked meal and theres a fly flying around, its very annoying but you got to deal with that fly before you get back to your meal. So these are the annoying flies that we have to deal with.

As for residents who complain that the department should tackle real crime, Bowles said illegal gambling dens are havens for other criminal activity.

Real crime follows these places. Weve had assaults, robberies, a shootout and even a murder at one of them. Theres drug dealing going on, theres illegal alcohol sales every vice thats available out there comes along with these gambling establishments, he said. So we will keep busting them -- dont open them. Dont come to Anniston, if you dont want to see me in your place then dont open a gaming establishment in Anniston, period.

Aside from the gaming machines, police seized a gun, three ATMS and an undisclosed amount of cash.

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We will keep busting them: Anniston police seize 59 gaming machines after warning of raids - AL.com