It would appear that the cockfighting and gambling scene in Alabama will be a bit quieter, as a large gaming ring was recently shut down with multiple indictments. Per a recent report, multiple people were indicted as a result of a long-term investigation of cockfighting and gambling in Blountsville, Alabama. The Gulf of America Homeland Security Task Force, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), conducted the investigation from March to June this past year. According to an indictment, investigators found evidence of an illegal cockfighting ring where attendees paid $40 to watch and competitors paid up to $1,000 to enter.
For this report, SBS will be going over the latest gaming news coming from Alabama, along with some additional notes and information coming from the region and beyond.
Noted in the same report, James Shawn Murphee, 48, of Blountsville, along with Denny Gonzalez-Guzman, 30, of Albertsville, and Kasten Finish Murphee, 22, of Blountsville, were all charged in the case. Additionally, Kelby Shawn Murphree, 27, of Blountsville, and Kimberly Ann Evans, 48, of Hayden, were all charged with conspiracy to violate the Animal Welfare Act and the prohibition on illegal gambling businesses.
Per a recent national update, a federal grand jury has indicted the five people in connection with what prosecutors call a massive cockfighting operation in Blount County, violating not only animal rights but also laws against illegal gambling. Between March 2025 and June 2025, the five above allegedly organized multiple cockfighting derbies in Blountsville, per the indictment. The long-term investigation was conducted by the Gulf of America Homeland Security Task Force in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Covered in the national article, cockfighting is a contest in which two roosters are forced to fight, often to death, while spectators place bets on the outcome. The events are known as “derbies,” and they are held in arenas called “pits,” while referees supervise the fights. Additionally, the roosters are often fitted with weapons, such as sharp blades or spurs, on the back of their legs to make the match bloodier.
Conversely, the Animal Welfare Act, first passed in 1966, was the first federal law regulating the treatment of animals in research. Today, it also covers animal breeders, dealers, handlers, carriers, and exhibitors. The law sets minimum standards for essential services, including housing, food, sanitation, veterinary care, and protection from extreme weather.
Noted in the same report, according to the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Alabama has the weakest penalties for cockfighting in the nation. Under state law, it is just a misdemeanor, punishable by a $50 fine. In contrast, federal law treats cockfighting as a serious felony, with penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of $250,000. Even attending a cockfight can carry a one-year prison sentence, and bringing a child under 16 to a derby can lead to jail time.
This particular Alabama cockfighting “empire” included an arena, weapons sales, and bird breeding, the national article pointed out. In December 2022, seven Alabama residents were sentenced for a large-scale cockfighting operation. Between 2018 and 2021, members of the Easterling family operated one of the most significant known cockfighting rings in the country, according to court records. Their Alabama arena hosted paid-entry fights with bladed roosters and seating for 150 spectators. The family also ran two large breeding farms, selling high-priced birds for fighting. The arena was torn down as part of the plea deal.
With the United States being such a diverse and expansive country, there are a multitude of subcultures across the country. While cockfighting might not be as common in the northeast or the West Coast, in areas like the Southeast, these activities do happen more frequently. For better or worse, animal fights have been looked at as part of the culture in these areas. Take, for instance, the case of former NFL quarterback Michael Vick’s dog-fighting ring in the 2000s. Though occurring in Virginia, many in southern states have not necessarily said these activities are “okay.” In fact, they are horrific in many ways, but it is more culturally known that these events do occur, for better or worse. Of course, cockfighting is against the law, but it makes sense how this enterprise was created in this environment with such lax cockfighting laws and very low local penalties.
After you are all up to speed in relation to the latest gambling notes coming from Alabama, make sure to check out the excellent array of resources available to you at SBS. Of course, for even more analysis on the topic covered here, the sports betting in Alabama guide is a must-read resource that goes over all of the latest and greatest notes from the region. Conversely, for those interested in checking out a new gaming option, the BetOnline sportsbook review rundown is an excellent resource that goes over a great outlet for qualified patrons. Here you can learn more about whether BetOnline is the right outlet for you and beyond. Finally, for those on the go, the best betting apps breakdown is a must-read page that covers the nuances of mobile betting and more.
About the Author
Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
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