Electronic gaming machines — and businesses — are popping up all over Selma and Dallas County — raising questions about their legality.

Electronic gaming facilities have been popping up in communities all over Selma now — for months.

“Well they’re popping up all over the state,” said Selma mayor James Perkins, Jr.

“And the reason for that is because the state code allows them to pop up.”

“They’re growing. It seems like we’re getting two or three more every other week,” said Tom Headley.

“It’s pretty plain what the Supreme Court of Alabama thinks of these machines,” said City Councilman Clay Carmichael.

The facilities feature video gaming machines — that look just like electronic bingo machines — causing some to question whether they’re legal.

But Mayor James Perkins Jr says the machines are games of skill — not games of chance — and that makes them legal.

“If the machines are a game of chance, then it’s defined as gambling. If it’s a game of skill, it’s not defined as gambling,” said Perkins.

“Then by municipal ordinance we have the opportunity to tax each machine. And that’s what we do.”

An effort by local law enforcement to shut down the facilities — so far has been ignored.

“An attorney that came before the council brought it to our attention that they had received some cease and desist letters from Police Chief Fulford, Sheriff Mike Granthum and DA Robert Turner,” said Carmichael.

“I hope they follow through on them.”

The Alabama Attorney General’s Office has also been contacted about the matter.