The Etowah County Sheriff’s Office has raided five businesses, seizing a total of 108 gambling machines, and more than $13,000.

Sheriff’s Office officials will reportedly be asking the courts to order the machines be destroyed

Under current Alabama law, a person commits the crime of promoting gambling if he/she “ – knowingly advances or profits from unlawful gambling activity otherwise than as a player.”

A person commits the crime of possession of a gambling device if “with knowledge of the character thereof, he/she manufactures, sells, transports, places or possesses, or conducts or negotiates any transaction affecting or designed to affect the ownership, custody or use of: (1) A slot machine or (2) Any other gambling device with intention that it be used in the advancement of unlawful gambling activity.

Horton said no one was at any of the businesses raid and no arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing, and arrests could come at a later time.

(ECSO and AL.COM/www.al.com)