Two popular Pelham businesses whose licenses were revoked due to paper bingo game nights have been allowed to continue operating by a unanimous vote of the Pelham City Council. More than 30 people gathered to show their support for Lil Bits Tavern and Pub 261, saying both establishments had stopped allowing paper bingo games in the evenings after learning they were breaking the law. Pelham City Council President Maurice Mercer said this support made a difference and was part of the reason the council voted unanimously to keep both establishments open and open. “Given the support of those gathered here tonight and the fact that they no longer participate in bingo and wish to run the business as before, with the exception of bingo, it is appropriate for the council to continue. I think they decided ‘to allow that,”’ Mercer said. The news came as a surprise to executives before Monday’s meeting. Video above: Before the city of Pelham responded to WVTM 13, attorney Michael Wallace said his client, the owner of Pub 261, had canceled bingo after receiving a letter saying bingo was not allowed in the county. said. But now it could lose their license to operate and they were fighting to stop it. >> Latest: WVTM 13 Headlines and Weather Information Wallace said paper bingo is common throughout Pelham and Shelby counties. There are even advertisements for it all over town. Ainsley Allison, along with the City of Pelham, defined paper bingo in an email to WVTM. “Paper Bingo is a form of play where each player pays money for the chance to play and win a cash jackpot. Illegal gambling is well settled under state law,” Allison said. That’s why I was surprised to learn that a letter was sent to Pub 261 two weeks ago. The letter said these game nights violate Pelham city ordinances. That means restaurants and bars like Pub 261 and Lil’ Bits Tavern need bingo permits, but cannot be issued. Allison said that’s because paper bingo is a state violation. “There is no license for bingo because bingo is illegal.” “The City of Pelham’s ordinance states that businesses must operate in a manner that complies with state law. Unless state law changes, the City of Pelham will not be licensed. We can’t even consider it.” Wallace said he did some research and found that only 18 counties in Alabama allow paper bingo, and Shelby County is not one of them. He said he understood. But it’s still happening in other cities in Shelby County, including Calera, Helena and Alabaster, Wallace said. “It’s going to hurt us,” Wallace said. “It’s going to hurt a lot and in this economy, they can go a few miles up the street to Jefferson County and play bingo as much as they want, so you have to stay on top of things. “Our customers are upset. We’ve had a lot of people calling us. Many of them thought we were already closed.” , stated, “The City of Pelham operates in accordance with state law.” >> Follow us on social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Wallace was told the entire county would have to vote to allow paper bingo, and until then, the city could legally play the game. He said he could not give permission to host the night. Wallace said he is already working to get the issue on the ballot in the next election to legalize paper bingo in the county. This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Get the latest articles with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.
PELHAM, AL —
Two popular Pelham businesses whose licenses were revoked due to paper bingo game nights have been allowed to continue operating by a unanimous vote of the Pelham City Council.
More than 30 people gathered to show their support for Lil Bits Tavern and Pub 261, saying both establishments had stopped allowing paper bingo games in the evenings after learning they were breaking the law.
Pelham City Council President Maurice Mercer said this support made a difference and was part of the reason the council voted unanimously to keep both establishments open and open.
“Given the support of those gathered here tonight and the fact that they no longer participate in bingo and wish to run the business as before, with the exception of bingo, it is appropriate for the council to continue. I think they decided ‘to allow that,”’ Mercer said.
The news came as a surprise to executives before Monday’s meeting.
Video above: Before the City of Pelham responds to WVTM 13
Attorney Michael Wallace said his client, the owner of Pub 261, stopped playing bingo after receiving a letter saying bingo was banned in the county. But now it could lose their license to operate and they were fighting to stop it.
>> Latest: WVTM 13 Headlines and Weather
Wallace said paper bingo is common throughout Pelham and Shelby counties. Advertisements are also posted all over the city.
Ainsley Allison of Pelham defined paper bingo in an email to WVTM.
“Paper bingo, where each player pays money for the chance to play and win a cash jackpot, is a form of illegal gambling that is well resolved by state law,” Allison said.
That’s why he was surprised to learn that a letter was sent to Pub 261 two weeks ago. The letter said these game nights violate Pelham city ordinances.
That means restaurants and bars like Pub 261 and Lil Bits Tavern require bingo permits but cannot issue them.
Allison said that’s because paper bingo is against state law, and that “bingo is illegal, so I don’t have a bingo permit.”
“The city of Pelham’s ordinance states that businesses must operate in a manner that complies with state law. Unless state law changes, the city of Pelham has no control over what it will or won’t allow, and how. We can’t even look at the licensing or permitting framework to see if we’re going to allow it,” Allison said. .
Wallace said he did some research and found that only 18 counties in Alabama allow paper bingo, and Shelby County is not one of them. But he said it’s still happening in other cities in Shelby County, including Calera, Helena and Alabaster.
“That’s going to hurt us,” Wallace said. “It’s going to hurt a lot and in this economy, they can go a few miles up the street to Jefferson County and play as much bingo as they want, so they have to stay on top of things. Our customers are upset. We’ve had a lot of people calling us. Many of them thought we were already closed.”
In response, Allison said, “The City of Pelham operates in accordance with state law.”
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Wallace said he was told the entire county would need to vote to allow paper bingo, and until then, the city could not legally grant permission to hold game nights.
Wallace said he is already working to get the issue on the ballot in the next election to legalize paper bingo in the county.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay up to date with the latest articles using the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.