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Jefferson County — Bessemer: An electronic bingo gambling ordinance was approved by the Bessemer City Council on July 21, despite a veto threat by Mayor Ed May, according to the July 21 issue of The Birmingham News.
The ordinance passed 5–2. If the mayor does veto the measure, then it would take only five votes to override his veto.
If the ordinance stands, then it would require electronic bingo gambling facilities to have a minimum of 500 machines to operate. The News also reported that some electronic bingo gambling machines were already in operation in Bessemer before the ordinance was passed.
Jefferson County — Fairfield: Electronic bingo gambling is now legal in Fairfield. The City Council voted unanimously July 9 to pass an ordinance allowing electronic bingo gambling.
Electronic bingo gambling facilities will be allowed to operate 24 hours a day but will be restricted to portions of four main streets, according to the July 10 issue of The Birmingham News.
Operations on two of the four streets must have a minimum of 500 machines, while those on the other two streets can operate with 200 machines. The city is to receive $100 a month per machine for the first three years and then $150 per machine, per month after that.
Walker County: Helping Hands Charity Bingo was ordered to shut down July 20, following Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Robert Vance’s review of the operation.
Vance said the electronic bingo gambling facility was not complying with Walker County bingo laws, according to the July 20 issue of The Birmingham News. Helping Hands did not have enough charity permits to operate around the clock six days a week and was acting as a third party on behalf of charity permit holders operating the game, which is not allowed.
Vance’s order also noted that his ruling could impact the approximately 30 other electronic bingo gambling facilities in Walker County.
“While these conclusions likely create consequences that extend far beyond the pending motion, at this time, they apply only to Helping Hands simply because the [court] has before it evidence pertaining only to Helping Hands,” he said, according to the News.
Vance is responsible for several other electronic bingo gambling cases in Walker County.
The Alabama Baptist has copies of all electronic bingo gambling charity permits from Walker County and will be reviewing those over the coming weeks.
State Supreme Court: The pending Alabama Supreme Court case dealing with the legality of the electronic bingo gambling machines seized at the White Hall Resort and Entertainment Center in Lowndes County has gotten the attention of Bally Gaming Inc. (BGI) of Las Vegas.
The gambling machine manufacturer wants a chance to explain its side of the issue, The Associated Press (AP) reported July 9.
“Alabama’s attorney general informed entities like BGI that it could rely on his findings when considering participation in electronic bingo in Alabama,” Bally’s lawyers wrote, according to the AP. (TAB)
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