Investigators Shut Down Two Local Bingo Halls

The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office confiscated dozens of bingo machines at two local bingo halls.

The raid started at 7:00 A.M. Friday morning at Bingo Magic and Bama Bingo on Forestdale Boulevard.
   
The D-A’s Office says the machines meet the legal definition of a lottery and are therefore illegal in the state of Alabama.

One of the bingo hall owners, Rod Varney, was charged with promoting gambling. Another bingo owner has yet to be formerly charged.

A long time bingo goer, Lei Brown, calls Bama Bingo a place to relax and unwind.

“This is the only place of comfort. We had fun. It’s about fun. So we enjoy what we do,“ Brown said.

The District Attorney’s Office said that it will be clearer in the coming days why these bingo halls were busted in both criminal and civil court cases.