Late this afternoon, Jefferson County presiding Judge Scott Vowell said electronic bingo machines collected in a raid in Kimberly are illegal. Earlier today, Judge Robert Vance, also a Jefferson County judge, ruled electronic bingo in Walker County is illegal and all bingo halls must shut down.
In about ten days Bingo Hall operators will have to remove illegal electronic bingo machines from Walker County.
The bingo machine ring will soon come to an end. That's after Judge Robert Vance ruled electronic bingo is illegal.
Bingo & Charity attorney, Herbie Brewer said, "Certainly the clients that are making money are disappointed, but the charities of course are disappointed in that they're not going to be able to fulfill these programs that they already planned for."
The decision is immediate so Walker County bingo halls must close down.
Walker County District Attorney, Charles Baker said, "But the court here said that they, the way the game is being played, is illegal, so the sheriff and I have no discretion in this matter."
The sheriff has called electronic bingo permit processing, manpower intensive. Now his deputies can go back to the business of fighting crime.
Walker County Sheriff John Mark Tirey said, "I'm very pleased when the judge ruled, that struck down the enabling statute that took somewhat of a burden off me."
An appeal is unlikely.
Brewer said, "I doubt seriously if Judge Vance, giving the tenor of his order would order a stay of execution for his order."
Electronic bingo has become a billion dollar business in Alabama. Today's ruling against it - may have an effect on the industry across the state which Vance ruled allows for paper bingo only.
Walker Co Sheriff’s Attorney, Bill Adair said, "I think it's very clear that all of them, because of Alabama's strong public policy against lotteries are in question at this point."
Not even Walker's County Commission will be able to bring back electronic bingo.
Vance's ruling prevents the county from overriding the state amendment. The Walker County DA said most operators plan to comply with the ruling and voluntarily shut down.
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