City of Chickasaw says BINGO!

CHICKASAW, Ala. (WALA) - The City of Chickasaw is moving forward with its plan for electronic bingo despite harsh words from the governor.

As far as electronic bingo is concerned, Alabama Governor Bob Riley said it's no different than any other form of gambling, and he thinks it's bad for the state.

"I can't imagine anyone who thinks the best way to help our economy is to have Alabamians lose billions of dollars gambling," Riley said during Tuesday's State of the State address.

But Chickasaw City Council Member Adam Bourne is not discouraged.

"I have the greatest respect for the governor, but on this issue I disagree with him. As a lawyer who has reviewed the Supreme Court decision and also the local constitutional amendment that governs bingo in this area, I've determined that as long as it follows a specific pattern and they're calling it a six prone test the Supreme Court came up with, it's perfectly legal," Bourne said.

Bourne said the city is working on a lease for the bingo investors who want to set up operation in the Davis Auditorium.

"I'm very concerned about the attractiveness of the facility. So that's something I'll be very interested in. I want to make sure it's attractive and will bring in good folks who are willing to spend money in the city. That's what we're looking for," Bourne explained.

The seniors who play a weekly game of paper bingo have already moved from the auditorium into the Chickasaw Civic Center.

Another city council member is not happy with the direction his town is taking.

Henry Phillips is opposed to electronic bingo. He watched the governor's address Tuesday night and he's hoping it will influence other city leaders to shift gears.

"I think it might stop it. Some of the other council members might come around after they saw his speech," Phillips said.

Phillips also said he'll vote against the final contract with the investors and a proposed lease for the auditorium. He may get that chance at the next council meeting.

The city of Prichard also approved a bingo ordinance. Officials in that city said the ordinance is at a stand-still while the city works out some legal issues.