District Attorney Vows to Fight Illegal Bingo Halls

The V.F.W. got their 60 bingo computers back today. Sheriff's deputies confiscated them six months ago from a Bessemer Superhighway location. However, today the District Attorney decided to hand them over if the V.F.W. agreed not to use them in the Bessemer Cutoff.

By Jon Paepcke
Published: October 03, 2008

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BESSEMER, Ala. --- The V.F.W. got their 60 bingo computers back today.

Sheriff's deputies confiscated them six months ago from a Bessemer Superhighway location.

However, today the District Attorney decided to hand them over if the V.F.W. agreed not to use them in the Bessemer Cutoff.

The V.F.W.’s attorney Jim Stevens says they were glad to load up the machines but hopes potential bingo halls don't get the wrong idea.

“The limits are going to be pushed. And there will be some people that take that to mean they can open not only in the cutoff and a lot of other place around the state and if i were them i would be really cautious,” Stevens pointed out.

That's because District Attorney Arthur Green is watching their every move.

This bingo hall is operating just up the road from the one where those computers were confiscated in April.

It’s a location Green says the Sheriff's Department is taking a close look at.

“It takes us a little time to investigate it to see what the game is and see how the charities are operated. And that's what we are now doing, we'll have a decision shortly,” Green said Friday.

Green says he's prepared to take whatever action necessary to keep bingo halls in line but made it clear this morning it's not personal.

“Heck, I've gambled all my life. The problem is that it is illegal in Alabama. I couldn't care less if people want to go play bingo but I've still go to try and enforce what I consider the law to be,” Green claimed.

He said he won't hesitate to confiscate the next machine he feels violates it.

Stevens said they plan to put the 60 machines in either at the Forestdale bingo hall or one in Walker County.