Etowah Commission Makes Second Amendment to Bingo Standards

(Gadsden, AL - February 8, 2010) Etowah County Commissioners voted unanimously (with one commissioner, Larry Payne absent) to change the rules and regulations defining electronic bingo in Etowah County.

Commission CEO Patrick Simms says the changes are minimal, but were required following recent rulings by the Alabama Supreme Court in the Surles v City of Ashville case. That case ruled that the City of Ashville did not contain a legal definition of bingo, as determined by the Barber v Cornerston Community Outreach ruling by the state's highest court in November of 2009. A letter to that effect was sent to the Commission last Monday from Sheriff Todd Entrekin requesting the commission make the changes.

Simms says the changes will not have much of an impact on the regulation of Bingo machines in the county. "There's really not that much difference between the Cornerstone points and ours, we just wanted to make sure our language matched theirs so there would be no question about the legality of our electronic bingo."

Simms says he is unaware if any other municipality has followed the two Supreme Court rulings with modifications to their bingo regulations. He told reporters after the Commission's special called meeting that all he new was that Etowah County would do what was required to make sure electronic bingo was legal in Etowah County.

Simms tells GadsdenMetro that he fears the legislature is headed down the wrong path in their regulatory plans. "I think what they're doing is trying to force a vote on a constitutional amendment that isn't good for the people of Alabama, but will benefit a couple of casino developers in the state to the detriment of charities, other developers and areas of the state, and the people of Alabama."

According to Simms, the modified and revived "Sweet Home Alabama" bill would eliminate requirements that profits be given to non-profit charitable organizations, giving the profits to developers and a minimal amount to the state. He also says the bill would grandfather existing operations and prohibitively limit the number of new developments in areas across the state.

Currently, Etowah County's prospective Bingo Casino Developer, CBS Supply is awaiting the arrival of their prototype machines from American Gaming Systems to Etowah County District Attorney Jimmie Harp for evaluation and trial in Judge Allen Millican's District Courtroom. According to an order from Millican, CBS Supply has until 3 p.m. on February 22 to deliver the machines. If they are delivered on or before that date, a trial will be set for March 3rd at 9 a.m.

CBS Suppy representative Christie Knowles has said she now expects the machines will be delivered, with a guarantee by Judge Millican of a rite of safe passage. One County Commissioner tells GadsdenMetro he has been told the machines will be delivered to Harp on February 19th.