Last Friday the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department confiscated nine video gambling machines from 3377 Moores Ferry Road. The address, known as Big House No. 2, served as a small store selling food items, but also as a repository for the illicit machines.

Its neighbor, Big House No. 1, allegedly sold beer without a license.

Two people were arrested Friday night when officers executed a search warrant and the machines seized.

A similar seizure occurred in late June when nine machines were taken from Hope Treasures in Orrville. In that case the machines had been hidden behind a wall that apparently had been built as a shield from prying eyes.

The message from the Sheriff’s department is clear &045;&045; the law is the law. Gaming machines are illegal and those who violate that law will be punished and the machines seized.

Gambling can be just as addictive as alcohol or illegal drugs.

It can destroy families, bank accounts and lives just as easily. Alabama doesn’t need that element in its midst; the Black Belt even less so.

We live in an area that is economically disadvantaged. In all levels of society a struggle exists to raise ourselves.

Our leaders seek to bring industry to our county while our hospital constantly seeks to recruit new physicians. Those with jobs work hard as they raise their families and ensure their children’s future.

We believe video gambling machines have no part in that future.

Our leaders understand that and this is why a law exists banning the gaming machines. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department does the right thing every time they uncover a new cache of the machines, arrest those responsible and carry the machines off.

Sheriff Harris Huffman Jr. and his department are to be commended for their ongoing efforts in eliminating this danger from our society.

Because the machines aren’t just a danger, they’re also against the law.