Last week, when Governor Bob Riley put together a task force to fight illegal gambling in Alabama, many were raising their eyebrows when he said this, "I believe if it looks like a slot machine, sounds like a slot machine, takes money in, pays money out... it’s a slot machine."

"If the governor's intent is to close down illegal bingo operations, then more power to them because it’s needed here, there are plenty of bingo operations that are operating legally" says Ronnie Gilley

According to Todd Stacey of the governor's office, "Nobody has anything to worry about as long as they are obeying the laws. The state law says slot machines are illegal, and it needs to be enforced."

Attorney General Troy King is an opponent of gambling, but insists on following state and county laws on electronic bingo.

He and his office helped eliminate more than 30 illegal gambling operations without assistance from the governor's office.

King says “Fighting illegal gambling is expensive and time-consuming. I wish all these resources coming available now had been available earlier."

Meanwhile country crossing developer Ronnie Gilley is moving forward with his plans on the project, despite what he calls an attractive offer to move the project to Gulfport Mississippi.

"The reality of it is, we are committed to Houston County, we will reiterate- we are more than confident that we are operating within the perimeters of what the law allows and we are exercising our constitutional amendment"

Gilley says some of the project's investors have pulled out for the time being because of this latest controversy. But, he says, you can expect to see at least the foundation on the land in February.

Gilley is planning a support rally for country crossing complete with entertainment.
He says it is expected to take place sometime this month.

News 4 will update you with a time and place as soon as it becomes available to us.