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Cars lined up outside VictoryLand casino in Macon County today before a 2 p.m. opening that offered players electronic bingo at the facility for the first time since a raid by state authorities more than three years ago.

VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor, who greeted customers and supporters in the lobby today, said the casino had about 500 machines and had hired about 200 employees for today's soft opening.

"This is just the starting point," McGregor said. "We've gotten over 4,000 applications. We'll be hiring more people, but you gotta start somewhere."

McGregor said he was not concerned about the possibility of another raid by state authorities.

"My only concern is taking care of the customers and doing what we want to do for the county and the surrounding area," McGregor said.

He said the machines were different than those used three years ago and had been certified by an independent testing company as bingo machines for the manufacturer.

He said Macon County Sheriff Andre Brunson has approved the machines.

"They have certified to the sheriff and his attorney that they comply and demonstrated that they comply with every rule and regulation that he requires," McGregor said.

"There's only one person on this earth that can establish the rules and regulations of electronic bingo in Macon County under CA 744, and that's the sheriff."

CA 744 is Amendment 744 to the Alabama Constitution, which Macon County voters approved in 2003.

Attorney General Luther Strange issued a statement about VictoryLand's reopening, restating his long-held position that electronic bingo is illegal.

"On March 31, 2016, the Alabama Supreme Court reinforced its previous rulings that electronic bingo is illegal," Strange said. "The Governor has expressly told the Sheriff and District Attorney in Macon County that they need to do their job and enforce state gambling laws.

"If those local officials are disregarding the Governor's order and facilitating illegal activity, then I expect the Governor to take action.  I stand ready to work with the Governor and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to stop illegal gambling and other crimes."

Last year, Bentley issued an executive order saying that sheriffs and district attorneys should be responsible for enforcing criminal laws as "guided by their respective interpretation of the laws."

Bentley Press Secretary Yasamie August said today the governor had no comment on Victoryland's reopening or Strange's statement.

In the 2013, raid, state authorities seized 1,615 machines and $263,000 cash from VictoryLand. In March, the state Supreme Court overturned a trial court decision and ruled that the machines were illegal and the state could keep them.

McGregor, however, vowed to reopen after that ruling.

When the doors opened today, players streamed in to try out the machines, which look like slot machines with colorful, rolling displays and names like "Bustin' Vegas," "Wild Billy Jackpot" and "Paydirt."

Dennis Taylor of Carrolton, Ga., said he was in a line of traffic for more than two hours outside.

Taylor said he has been playing electronic bingo at the Poarch Band of Creek Indians casino in Montgomery.

"They need the competition," Taylor said. "It's good. I just need to win some money."

Alvin Barnes of Atlanta said he had a previous ran a bus service that brought customers to VictoryLand.

"When it was open before I used to come every day," Barnes said.

Barnes said he doesn't have the service anymore but was at VictoryLand for Tuesday's opening and was impressed with the turnout.

He said VictoryLand is a quicker trip for him from Atlanta than the Poarch Creeks casinos in Montgomery and Wetumpka.

Mary Felton of Athens, Ga., said she was glad to see VictoryLand reopen, although she noted that some of the machines were not working today.

Felton, a retired nurse, said she and her friends sometimes go to the Poarch Creeks casinos in Montgomery and Wetumpka.

"So now we can stop here instead of going on up the road," she said.

Felton said she came out $100 ahead today.

Former Auburn football coach Pat Dye, left, with Milton McGregor. Mike Cason/ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Former Auburn football coach Pat Dye chatted with McGregor in the lobby today.

Dye, who advocated last year for a constitutional amendment to allow a lottery and casino gambling, called it a good day for Macon County and Alabama.

"I don't know how many hundred folks they've got employed, but it's a damn good industry," Dye said. "We really ought to have casino gambling and the whole thing."