Opinion ID: 1628762
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: Greenetrack operates both paper and electronic video bingo at its facility in Greene County for 80 nonprofit organizations licensed by the Sheriff of Greene County. Amendment No. 743, Ala. Const. 1901 (Local Amendments, Greene County, § 1 (Off.Recomp.)), authorizes nonprofit organizations to operate bingo games for prizes or money in Greene County. Estano filed a complaint in December 2006, alleging that the gaming operation at the Greenetrack facility is illegal because, he argues, it exceeds the authority granted by the local amendment. Section 8-1-150, Ala.Code 1975, provides that a person may recover losses incurred as the result of an illegal gambling operation. Estano filed the complaint in his county of residence, Pickens County. The complaint stated that venue is proper in Pickens County because Greenetrack, the defendant, does business there and because Estano, the plaintiff, resides there. On February 9, 2007, Greenetrack filed a motion to dismiss Estano's complaint pursuant to Rules 12(b)(3) and 12(b)(6), Ala. R. Civ. P. Alternatively, Greenetrack moved the trial court to transfer the case to Greene County pursuant to § 6-3-7, Ala.Code 1975, which governs venue as to corporations, or under the doctrine of forum non conveniens, § 6-3-21.1, Ala.Code 1975. The trial court denied Greenetrack's motion. Greenetrack has petitioned for a writ of mandamus alleging that the trial court exceeded its discretion by refusing the transfer of the case to Greene County. [1]