Video Bingo Doomed In Alabama?

Electoronic bingo in Alabama may soon cease

The US state of Alabama may soon have to wave goodbye to the game of electronic bingo after the highest court in the region issued a decision on Friday (November 13th) that machines found in one bingo centre were "almost exactly" the same as slots.

These are illegal in Alabama, the Associated Press reports, but the court's ruling hasn't managed to dampen the spirits of many bingo operators in the area who won't be calling off opening celebrations at casino venues.

Developer of Country Crossing in the southeast corner of the state Ronnie Gilley was quoted by the news source as saying that his $87 million (£52 million) venture is "full speed ahead" and scheduled to open on December 1st, complete with 1,700 machines.

Agriculture commissioner Ron Sparks observed that the court judgement risks an industry that brings in "hundreds of millions of dollars to both state and local governments".

But the governor of Alabama appears to be set in his ways where electronic bingo lies and has written to gaming commissions in seven states to ensure that machine manufacturers cease activity in the region.

British bingo is also coming under political fire, as - according to bingo sites - the government still intends to increase the tax levy on the game from 15 per cent to 22 per cent, despite a petition with over 2,000 signatures on it.

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