Judge rules Walker electronic bingo halls illegal

JASPER (AP) — A judge ruled Monday that bingo halls in Walker County that use electronic player stations are illegal and has ordered the halls to shut down immediately.

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Robert Vance on Monday ruled on a lawsuit filed by Walker County Sheriff John Mark Tirey and District Attorney Charles Baker. The lawsuit sought clarification on whether the bingo halls were operating legally. The Birmingham News reported on the judge’s ruling on its Web site.

Vance held a hearing earlier this month on whether a 1993 constitutional amendment allowed the electronic bingo machines in Walker County.

The Walker County case is one among several lawsuits challenging electronic bingo around the state.

An attorney for Tirey, Bill Adair, had written in a brief that Alabama law does not allow electronic bingo in any county except Greene and that only bingo played with paper cards is allowed in Walker County.

State Rep. Ken Guin, D-Carbon Hill, wrote a brief on behalf of one of the bingo operators, Creekside Charity Binto. He argued that the constitutional amendment that allows bingo in Walker County authorizes all types of bingo.

“Amendment 549 is plain on its face,“ Guin said. “It allows the playing of bingo in Walker County all types of bingo.“

Vance said in his order that his ruling ends the lawsuit.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.