Charity Bingo Halls Take A Legal Hit In Walker County, Alabama

Charity bingo halls have become a major draw in Walker County, Alabama. A Circuit Court judge, however, has thrown a wrench in future plans of the thirty or so bingo halls in operations.

Many of the bingo halls are operating twenty-four hours a day, six days a week. That, according to Sheriff John Mark Tirey, is against the laws in the state. Tirey had asked Circuit Court Judge Robert S. Vance for proof from bingo halls as to why they should remain open.

The judge did not completely shut down the bingo halls, but did cite a law that requires charity to only operate for two sessions a week. The charity bingo halls also can only operate for five hours each of those two days.

"It is clear that these bingo halls have taken advantage of their charity status," said observer Tim Helser, "I'm glad that the law stepped in because these charity bingo halls are popping up all over the county. Enough was enough."

It has become less common for bingo halls to be operational around the US. The charities that run these halls have moved on to electronic gaming halls, because they are much more profitable than bingo.

Even the video gaming halls have come under attack, however. In Alabama, there has been a task force created by the governor to seek out and close down electronic gaming facilities. There are politicians in the state that believe these establishments are operating legally, but the governor and his task force disagree.

July 14, 2009
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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