Arcade establishments on Wednesday ceased operations until a ruling on the legality of video gaming machines is made. Selma Police Chief Robert Green notified the owners of these businesses, by letter Tuesday, requiring they shut down, and leaving them with 24 hours to do so.

Following the written opinion of the state’s attorney general, Green felt moved to adhere to the declaration that video gaming machines are illegal. City arcades closed following the Dallas County Sheriff’s move to confiscate machines at a location in Plantersville on Sept. 19, but shortly re-opened and remained open until yesterday.

There are definitely mixed feelings as to whether these machines are classified as being legal. In some cases, establishments have been shut down and operators have been arrested, and judges have either upheld the convictions or haven’t. But regardless of the conflicting opinions, the city will not allow these businesses to operate.

Last week, a Montgomery County judge issued an order preventing the city from closing arcades until an October hearing. A Jefferson County judge, in August, issued an order declaring arcades illegal until the passing of a different judgment.

And few months ago, Fourth Circuit Judge Marvin Wiggins issued an injunction in Perry County to stop the district attorney’s office, also complying to the attorney general’s opinion, from directing or advising law enforcement officials to take action in shutting them down.

Green says, as of now, the gaming machines are &uot;illegal under state law&uot; and the police department is &uot;prepared to take the next step&uot; if adherence to that in the city of Selma is not followed.