Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale learned Sept. 30 that he does not have overall regulatory authority for the on-again, off-again “electronic bingo” halls in the county.
The Alabama Supreme Court struck down his authority in an unanimous opinion. While the court did not deal with the ongoing debate over what constitutes legal bingo, it said the 1980 constitutional amendment allowing bingo in Jefferson County gives regulatory authority to the governing body of the town where the games are located.
Hale had set rules for bingo operations, including limited hours and days of operations. He had the support of District Attorney Brandon Falls, who has consistently stated his opposition to the slot machine-type machines being labeled bingo.
The lawsuit originated with bingo hall operators and supporters who claimed it was unconstitutional for the sheriff to have regulatory power.
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