"I think at this point that electronic bingo, if it's not dead, it's certainly gasping for breath."
That's Birmingham City Councilor Valerie Abbott's thoughts on electronic bingo in the state after an order today outlaws the machines in Walker County.
"When I read the judge's order (I thought) that that order doesn't apply just to Walker County, it really applies to everyone in the state," says Abbott.
The Walker County order falls on the eve of a crucial Birmingham City Council meeting where bingo is on the agenda.
The city is reconsidering its bingo ordinance passed in June and has continually delayed granting permits to bingo applicants.
Attorney Kim Davidson represents bingo applicant House of Joshua.
"It's very frustrating," says Davidson. "In St. Clair County, Judge Robinson several months ago said the same machines were legal."
Concerning Walker County, Davidson says it's apples to oranges.
"The Constitution of Alabama allows for each county and municipality to promulgate their own rules," says Davidson.
Tonight attorneys for House of Joshua have filed a lawsuit against District Attorney Brandon Falls, Sheriff Mike Hale, and the City of Birmingham to seek litigation on Jefferson County's amendment as it relates to the Birmingham bingo ordinance.
"And the Birmingham ordinance does not contradict the amendment; it actually ratifies the amendment in a lot of ways," says Davidson.
But Councilor Abbott is not on the same page.
"State law trumps local law; so you can't make your local law any more lenient than the state law is," says Abbott.
