Investigators with the Walker County Sheriff’s Office raided a home on Rocky Ridge Road just outside Dora Friday that was operating as an illegal gambling hall. Seized was 14 illegal gaming machines and almost $3,000 in cash. No arrests were made.

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DORA — An illegal gambling hall operating in the basement of a home was shut down Friday night when investigators from the Walker County Sheriff’s Office raided it. With a search warrant in hand, investigators and deputies raided the home on Rocky Ridge Road just before 8 p.m. Six people were inside playing the illegal games, but they were allowed to leave after a quick background check for any arrest warrants. Investigators seized 14 illegal gaming machines, along with almost $3,000 in cash. A check for $200 written by one of those playing the games was also seized.The owner of the home where the illegal gambling hall was operating was not there at the time of the raid. “A lot of people don’t realize that running these type operations is against the law,” Walker County Sheriff Jim Underwood said following the raid. “It’s a violation of the law just like any other crime. At the sheriff’s office, we’re not going to pick and choose between minor and major crimes. We’re going to enforce the law fair and equally among all citizens.”Underwood said gambling — while considered harmless by many — does lead to bigger and more dangerous problems. “It causes a lot of social problems in homes,” he said, “and a lot of the people here tonight were older people who probably needed their money for other things.“The laws are made in Montgomery, and all we do is enforce them,” he added. Investigator Ralph Williams Jr. said sheriff’s officials will file the necessary paperwork to begin civil forfeiture proceedings for the cash seized during the raid. “We don’t pick and choose which laws we enforce,” Williams said, echoing Underwood’s comments. “Some laws we enforce are popular and some are not popular, but we’re going to enforce all laws.”Underwood said anyone thinking about gambling in an illegal operation may want to reconsider. “Everybody visiting these type places are subject to going to jail,” he said, “and there’s always the chance that you could go to jail for it.”