Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry, a Republican currently running for Place 1 on the Alabama Public Service Commission, accepted a $25,000 campaign contribution from a Hanceville-area gas station that seemingly operates illegal gambling machines in a curtained-off back room, according to an investigation published this week by 1819 News.

The contribution is filed under “AASHNA, LLC” — the entity behind a Shell station off I-65 Exit 291 in Colony. 1819 News reports that the room housing the machines is concealed by black curtains and signage covering the windows, and that a source said the devices match the type the Attorney General’s Office has previously deemed illegal.

Gentry did not return the donation. In a statement, he defended his handling of the machines as Sheriff and criticized the state for failing to settle what counts as illegal gambling.

“In conjunction with our DA’s office, we have been in contact numerous times with the AG’s office about the machines and asked for their opinion if they are, in fact, illegal and to send an investigator to inspect them,” Gentry said in a statement.

“To be honest, the state of Alabama has been arguing over what is ‘illegal gambling’ for decades, and they still can’t figure it out.

“I have been and continue working daily to ensure that Cullman County is safe. We, me and my whole staff, work tirelessly in these efforts by arresting murderers, rapist, drug dealers, sex offenders, child predators, domestic violence offenders and combating the mental health crisis we face everyday.”

Gentry, who has held the sheriff’s office since 2014, jumped into the 2026 PSC race in June and quickly built a war chest composed by roughly $200,000 in his first reporting period, including a $100,000 self-loan. The decision to bank a five-figure check from a business operating suspected slot-style devices is a complicated one for a sitting sheriff sworn to enforce Alabama’s gambling laws.

The PSC, which Gentry hopes to join, regulates electric and gas utilities and has no jurisdiction over gambling. He is running against incumbent Jeremy Oden in the 2026 Alabama Republican Party primary.