Jefferson County Circuit Judge Robert Vance today ruled that the state's attorney general must assume the "direction and control" of Alabama's push to control illegal gambling.  

The ruling in effect puts the commander of Gov. Bob Riley's Task Force on Illegal Gambling -- Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson, under King's control and not Riley's. 

The ruling is a blow to the Riley administration, which has pushed for more than a year to shut down what they consider electronic bingo casinos using illegal slot machines.  

In his ruling, Vance criticized King's lack of action in taking control of the gambling issue and Riley's push to create and run the task force.

"The attorney general has -- for whatever reason -- assumed a curious stance," Vance writes in the order. "While complaining of the governor's actions in the Supreme Court, and in the media, the attorney general has made no effort to defend the state's interest in these cases. He is under a duty to do so."  

Vance writes that, while he may not dictate what the AG decisions must be, "This court can, however, direct the attorney general to come in off the sidelines and decide how the state's interest are best represented in these cases." 

King has defended the casinos, saying some counties are allowed under state law to play electronic bingo and the machines based a review he has conducted appear to be legal.

A spokesman for King said this afternoon that Vance's order is being reviewed and that King is out of the office but likely will have a statement later today.

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