Regardless how residents feel, it's here: electronic bingo at the American Legion Post 170 Cash and Heard in Ashville.
Right now there are 200 bingo machines here. Mayor Robert McKay says within the next 48 hours there will be 600. With operating company Shooting Star Entertainment Group, LLC giving the city 100 dollars per machine per month, Mayor McKay says the city will really start cashing in with this city bingo tax.
"The city of Ashville will start getting $60,000 a month," says Mayor McKay.
In addition, for each card purchased, the machines take 10 cents, funds which go straight to the Revenue Commissioner.
"To be distributed to the sheriff, to the senior citizens programs, and the youth programs," says Mayor McKay.
The mayor says 90 percent of remaining revenue will go to schools.
"This is millions of dollars going into the St. Clair County School System."
And there could be more gaming and revenue on the way.
Mayor Mckay says there are plans right now for a 72 acre lot right off the Interstate 59 to be turned into Shooting Star Entertainment...which would contain 5,000 gaming machines.
And it would bring in six million dollars a year through the city bingo tax.
