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White Hall temporarily closes doors
Published Wednesday, November 18, 2009
WHITE HALL — People wanting to play bingo at White Hall Resort and Entertainment Center will have to wait at least two weeks.
As of 5 p.m. Wednesday the center shut down its electronic bingo games. The decision was reached after the recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling.
“We voluntarily closed not to just avoid another raid, although that was certainly one of the considerations,” said White Hall Resort and Entertainment Center attorney Collins Pettaway Jr. “The center decided to be proactive rather than reactive.”
The ruling, which came down Friday, listed several qualifications for the game to be considered bingo:
— Each player uses one or more cards with spaces arranged in five columns and five rows, with an alphanumeric or similar designation assigned to each space
— Alphanumeric or similar designations are randomly drawn and announced one by one, in order to play, each player must pay attention to the values announced
— If one of the values matches a value on one or more of the player’s cards, the player must physically act by marking his or her card accordingly; a player can fail to pay proper attention or to properly mark his or her card, and thereby miss an opportunity to be declared a winner
— A player must recognize that his or her card has a ‘bingo,’ i.e., a predetermined pattern of matching values, and in turn announce to the other players and the announcer that this is the case before any other player does so
— The game of bingo contemplates a group activity in which multiple players compete against each other to be the first to properly mark a card with the predetermined winning pattern and announce that fact.
“The games have always been playing bingo, but we are making the machines provide more visual aid,” Pettaway said. “Before some of the steps were done on a computer server that was not seen. We are going to make some adjustments and to further prove we are playing bingo.”
Joe Espy, an attorney who represents Cornerstone Community Outreach, said 105 employees were laid off as a result of the decision to shut down.
The Supreme Court’s ruling lifted a restraining order that had prevented the governor’s task force on gambling from raiding the gaming center again.
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Comments
Posted by jonsavant (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 1:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That was an excellent move by Collins Pettaway. Riley and his croniies probably had a raid planned for Saturday morning, they figured that some more cash had accumulated while the restraining order was in force. None of this has nothing to do with anything except keeping the blacks in Lowndes County poor, if the majority of the people in Lowndes County were poor "White crackers" Riley and his mother both would be at White Hall playing - if not every day, at least every week-end. Yes, I said it.
Posted by sinkingship (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 6:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
the bingo hall has been open for years and lowndes county is still poor-just like the black leaders want. lowndes county got approval from the voters for bingo-not slot machines. if you call that place a bingo hall, then you need to examine the glasses you are looking through. the place is making 1 man rich and making more of the area poor. gambling is a tax on the poor.
Posted by lucy10177 (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i say if you want to gamble it's your right....if you don't then stay out.
Posted by Liberty (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"The sole object and only legitimate end of government is to protect the citizen in the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property, and when the government assumes other functions it is surpation
and oppression." - Article I, Section 35, Alabama Constitution
Once again big government is throwing their weight around and making decisions for us because we are NOT to be trusted to think for ourselves!
Start calling your reps, people...
Posted by bama (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Its sad to see people not understand that this gambling was illegal and the laws must be enforced. Should laws against murder, rape, stealing, etc not be enforced? If you want legal gambling, then work to have it legalized, but don't cry and like it if your "right" or that the closing of bingo halls are racially motivated. The race card doesn't work anymore.
Posted by P_cola (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree bama. In the state of Alabama gambling is illegal, it's just the law, not saying it's a good law or bad law...but it is what it is. So if there is gambling the law should be enforced. If the people of Alabama want to gamble then work on having it legalized like bama said above. I think people are taking it personal when it's just enforcing a law that has been in place for how long now??
Posted by I_saw_what_you_did_in_Selma (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Does one even need a gambling license to have bingo games? I remember as a kid going to play bingo at the Catholic Church with my grandmother. You paid so much for each card and I guess it all went into a pot to be paid out. Is that not pretty much the same as gambling? Or, were they required to pay back 100% of what they took in?
Posted by Liberty (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gambling is not violating anyone's personal rights to life, liberty or property.
Murder, rape and theft IS. Come on Bama.
The only laws that the government should be putting in place are ones that protect our LIFE, LIBERTY and PROPERTY. They should not be wasting time, money (MONEY!) and effort on BS laws like these because they want to play big chief.
It is NOT any of their business where you spend your money. It doesn't matter if it's at the track, in some bingo hall, at Walmart or your church.
I realize that there is some strange and twisted comfort level there for so many of you, but really... big government = BAD. We do NOT need them telling us how to run our own lives. We should be able to make decisions on our own (good or bad) as long as they are not infringing on the rights of others.
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I bet this is an evil plot by men in dark suits trying to keep the "Black Man" down in Lowndes County. I even bet the casion owners have the machines rigged so that blacks lose and the whites win. Next thing you know, Atty Pettaway will file a class action lawsuit on behalf of the black community of Lowndes for "racist bingo machines". Hahaha The sad part is I wouldn't be shocked one bit if he did.
I wonder what other JOBS the 105 people would be working in Lowndes if the casino wasn't there???
Posted by fxstbharleyrider (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe we should abolish the stock market. If thats not gambling I don't know what is.
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And church raffles.........
Posted by Newswatcher (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My only gripe is if it's illegal in Whitehall, then it's illegal in Shorter at Victoryland......however, they are not closed. What's that about??
Posted by 80sBaby (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What is the difference between Shorter, Wetumpka, Tallapoosa, and Whitehall. Shorter has a dog track, so we know that is gambling.
Posted by trainwreck (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
newswatcher- Milton Mcgregor has Bob Riley in his back pocket and Shorter and Wetumpka are progressive establishments! Alabama is so backwards on laws its unreal! If its illegal its illegal for all and not just whitehall. I'm glad to see the owners of whitehall played this one smart...it will be interesting to see what happens!
Posted by antnee09 (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I personally dont like White Hall. I personally believe as someone stated, its making one man rich while others have the hopes of getting rich or "hitting it big"... Before I go further, I am not making it a racial issue. I am speaking from experience with family members. Most of the people that be up in White Hall are already poor. Most will go spend all of their checks and bill money there and after its done, look around in bewilderment. I have two aunts that stay up in there, as well as a cousin. One time my cousin spent her whole check there, in a mattter of hours. It was a shame. She then started calling around to other family members for money. They all have dreams of "hitting it big". Me, I would never take my hard earned money to a casino with big dreams of being rich. Its the same thing with the bingo halls in Birmingham. My friend's sister spends all of her grocery money and other bill money in there and neglects her kids all because she thinks she is going to be rich. That stuff is addictive.
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There is something we were supposed to learn as children...and that being "responsibility". Obviously, some people have never learned the lesson. Just because the casino is there doesn't mean you gamble your whole check and livelihood. Just because the liquor store is on the corner doesn't mean you drink yourself to death. Just because McDonald's is down the street doesn't mean you eat Big Mac's everyday. I think you get the drift. You can't pin people's erratic, irresponsible behavior on establishments. There has to be some self accountability.
Posted by popdukes12 (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
antnee09: You've seen what i've seen, the weaker human side of the issue. sure liberty is right about the limits of government, but sometimes it just doesn't work. Sometime in the past, I had one of my sons ask me why I didn't drink. Sure it is legal, but my answer to him was that I grew up around an alcoholic and that i'd never seen one positive thing come from drinking. I didn't grow up around a gambler, but I feel sure that it would be about the same result. popdukes12
Posted by fxstbharleyrider (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yall are right. There should be no gambling and no lotto in the state of Alabama. We don't need the tax moneys that could be made off of leqalized gambling, or the moneys for our shools that could come from a lotto. Every one that wants to gamble or play the lotto should drive a small distance in any direction. That way we can pump 100s of millions of dollars into there school systems and tax basis. Alabama does't need the money. Just look at our wonderful schools, and how bad the schools are in Georgia and Florida. Not
Posted by jis1999 (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If there is a law against the type of gaming going on at White Hall, then it is illegal. Plain and simple. If you want to gamble there, then get the law change. I personally would like to see more opportunities like the lottery, casinos, etc, but until the law has been change then the only option is to abide by the law or suffer the issues when you get caught.
Posted by bamagirl042604 (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 7:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree, gambling is illegal in Alabama so there should be no bingo halls or lotto here. People often forget that this country was founded on Christian beliefs and in the bible it is a SIN to GAMBLE! I think gambling should be illegal in the USA all together. My biggest problem is the people that go to Whitehall with their government checks and blow them. I work my butt off and get all kind of taxes taken out of my check to pay for their gambling. I think that if you work and make your own money to spend that’s one thing but spending money that I worked for, for them to get their monthly check it wrong. The government should put stipulations on that money just like they do on food stamps. They need to close every casino or bingo hall in Alabama!
Posted by selmian (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 8:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please take time to read up on the seriousness of gambling addicts. 1 in 4 commit suicide. very few ever recover. Read up on it. This addiction is far more serious than alcohol, etc. It is a shame people lose their checks and grocery money. The level headed "responsible" person will not, but the addict will do it over and over again. before long the gambling will medicate their addiction and it will no longer be for the hit it rich, just the have to do it to escape.
It would be great if people would see this as what it is, "A TAX ON THE POOR." at least in this area for sure. I for one love to see the poverty in the blackbelt abolished not extended indefinitely. No I don't have the answers...but I do not think this is the answer either.
Posted by trainwreck (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 8:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There should be a vote by the people of Alabama on whether or not ALL gambling is legal! Plain and simple if the vote says legal then all gambling should be legal and if the vote says illegal then all gambling should be removed from the state....YES ITS THAT SIMPLE! My question is why does the citizens voice not count in this? Why is it up to the DA of the county who is saying its up to Gov. Riley to raid these places or not? I guess even in the right wing conservative state of Alabama the politicians and a handful of private sector elite run the show!
Posted by pleasureme (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know for a fact the schools in Florida are some of the worse. I helped in my childs school for 4 years. The lottory did nothing but hurt the schools. So don't say it helps the schools. You want to help the schools, get involved with your schools and help them earn money for the schools. Most people send their kids to school for a baby sitter and expect the teacher to do everything else with that child. Help your kids with their homework, check their homework and make sure your invoved so your kids can finish school and make it to collage for a better life. Take care of your familys and stop crying over gambling and races. That race card is getting old.......go to school!!!!!
Posted by eeashe (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is just more of the backwardness of this state and trying to force morality on people. It can't be forced. Just let the money keep going to Miss. on the Charter buses leaving Hardees' and other places and let them keep gambling at the C Club, Elks Club, Moose Lodge, Club near the Bypass /Water Avenue, Catholic Churches, shot houses and many more. You see , if they want to gamble they will and the state will still have no money. But, showboating will
keep everyone from throwing all YOUR hard earned Tax money
away. Yeah! Right. You don't have to worry about that as long as we have this Muslim wanna be President that we have, as he will find plenty of ways to take your money without playing Bingo anyway. I still say that the only thing that will ever save this town from being a 5000 population is to open up Water Avenue with a gambling boat and watch it bring many dollars in that are going to other states. With the history , the many events and gambling it might hold on awhile longer. Throwing money away on Parks, Trails, brick sidewalks , boosting the St. James, etc. with nothing else bringing in the cash won't help.
Posted by yellowroseofTexas (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 11:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The casino owners, lottery handlers, etc. are the ones that make the money, not the states. If they didn't, they wouldn't exist.
I also consider "white cracker" a racial slur!!!
Our poor blacks don't benefit from gambling in any form. It is just another way to keep them down while others get rich. Claiming gambling helps blacks is a way for the so-called leaders to control the misinformed.
Posted by rayrays (anonymous) on November 20, 2009 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In the community here in Georgia where I live less than 35 miles from Atlanta, you can't buy gas or snacks for all the poor "WHITES" buying lottery and scratch off tickets. It's all about location and class or lack of not race.
Posted by tnmurdock (anonymous) on November 20, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess you won't, "have a ball at whitehall" anymore. Isn't everything in life a gamble? When you get behind the wheel of a car, aren't you gambling that you will make it to your destination? Of course some will point out that you don't have to pay to drive. But, when you think about it...don't you?
Posted by Newswatcher (anonymous) on November 20, 2009 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think that the issue is racial when it comes to Whitehall vs Victoryland.....I think there's more to it...maybe more political. Both facilities have the same machines....will McGregor have to "reconfigure or re-calibrate their machines?? Tallapoosa and Riverside belong to the Indians, it's their land, the state can't regulate them....so gaming is still going on in Alabama....but Victoryland nor Whitehall is on Indian territory (I don't think)......so what gives? Why don't they raid during this big event tonight at Victoryland.....NOT...the Temptations will be there.....free of charge!!! A lot of money will be played on the machines tonite!!!
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on November 20, 2009 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Newswatcher...."The Temptations will be there". Hahaha That is a great play on words. Yes....Temptations will be there!!!!
Posted by TakeControl (anonymous) on November 20, 2009 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Close every casino and bingo hall in Alabama? That has to be one of the dumbest things every posted on here. Do some of you realise how much money Alabama residents are giving away everyday to drive to Mississippi to gamble? To go to GA just to pick up lotto tickets? To drive to the Fla border to get tickets?
That is alot of money that would go into Alabama pockets. For every person that drives to GA/FL on the weekend just to get some scratch off and lotto tickets, those people are stopping to eat, stopping to fill up on gas, buying snacks at those gas stations. Whatever, its all revenue that could be going to Alabama! Nobody cares what religious people have to say about gambling! Everyone is not a believer in biblical fairy tales. You think going to a casino is bad, well dont go.
Alabama, and Selma in general is so damn ass backwards with thinking, when I read this website I just bust out laughing. Its so hard to believe that in this day and age with so many oppurtunities to learn and gather info, that one single place can be so full of ignorance! People saying the casinos are bad because a family member "blew their check there" newsflash, nobody made that person do something that stupid.
Its amazing that I can go to Las Vegas for a weekend, and spend more on cab rides, then I spent total gambling, IN LAS VEGAS!
People in Selma need to get a clue. Why the hell anyone would want to live a segregated life is beyond me. Go somewhere else, see how people actually live in unison.
Posted by HuntsvilleGamer (anonymous) on November 20, 2009 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The blog comments for the Selma Times Journal are more hilarious than the actual articles. Both sides, black or white in Selma, are still stuck and still stupid.
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on November 20, 2009 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Takecontrol...you are 100% right. And people wonder why this town is stuck in 1965?!?! Here is just a small example of the answer on this blog. Some of these people are bona fide slaves to the system.
Posted by HuntsvilleGamer (anonymous) on November 20, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Eyeonyou" I love you!
Posted by ItsJustLikeAMiniMall (anonymous) on November 20, 2009 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TakeControl... Hah there is A LOT more to do in Vegas besides gamble. All there is to do at Whitehall is GAMBLE.
Posted by downwardspiral (anonymous) on November 20, 2009 at 6:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So if gambling is illegal, I take it Church raffles or any other club or organization's raffles are illegal correct? Does anyone ever try to shut those down? Oh and by the way, I won $70 today from a scratch off. Thank you Georgia!
Posted by jonsavant (anonymous) on November 20, 2009 at 11:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To all on the blog list, everyone should have the right to express themselves in any manner that they please. If you are in doubt about what we write - Alabama ranks almost last in every category in this country except ignorance, lack of, pain and suffering. One should have the choice to choose between the goodnesss of heaven and vices of hell. Gambling, shot houses, whore houses and any other places should be allowed to exist. It is not the government job to protect people from themselves. When you do not have freedom of choice - you are not free. I am not a racist, even though I may make what seem like racist comments - I am a realist and when the time is right I refer to certain blacks as "dumb ass backward blacks". Selma is not really segegated, it's just that some of the blacks there are worse than wild dogs - people black and white choose not to live around them - since more whites have the means to leave, mostly blacks are left behind. In summary we need to learn to live together or die separately.
Posted by Liberty (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
*applause*
Posted by Liberty (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry, posted before I was done.
*applause* to "everyone should have the right to express themselves in any manner that they please. If you are in doubt about what we write - Alabama ranks almost last in every category in this country except ignorance, lack of, pain and suffering. One should have the choice to choose between the goodnesss of heaven and vices of hell. Gambling, shot houses, whore houses and any other places should be allowed to exist. It is not the government job to protect people from themselves. When you do not have freedom of choice - you are not free."
You are 100% on that.
Posted by TakeControl (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Selma is absolutely segregated. There is no other way to put it. Segregated schools, churches, neighborhoods, you name it! Anyone that grew up in Selma and spent anytime in the school system knows it.
In most instances there would be SOMEONE that EVERYONE respected to speak, or rally people together. Not Selma. Not a single politician is going to rally anyone in Selma to stand up and do something. Not a politician not so called civil rights leaders. Nobody.
Selma needs a young voice, someone that people of all colors will listen to, someone that young people will look up to. I constantly wonder when that person will stand up......then I realize I am talking about Selma Al and I remember that ignorance breeds ignorance and Selmafied people are the majority, not the minority.
I mean seriously, outside of "its the law" why the hell is gambling or a lottery in Alabama considered taboo? Its 2009, damn near 2010 and people in Alabama need their state government to decide if they can gamble?
I understand calling it "bingo" gives them some loophole, and politicians breaking out Bingo Rules and Regulations from some Grandmothers purse is hilarious to me. Next thing you know anytime you win at whitehall you will have to stand up and scream BINGO!!!!
Selma, Satan, Selma.
Posted by Todd (anonymous) on November 22, 2009 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Plain and simple POLITICS!!!!!!
Posted by Liberty (anonymous) on November 23, 2009 at 7:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"The sole object and only legitimate end of government is to protect the citizen in the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property, and when the government assumes other functions it is usurpation and oppression." - Article I, Section 35, Alabama Constitution
Posted by TigerFan36701 (anonymous) on November 23, 2009 at 6:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
""The sole object and only legitimate end of government is to protect the citizen in the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property, and when the government assumes other functions it is usurpation and oppression." - Article I, Section 35, Alabama Constitution"
Seriously. How many times are you going to post this in a single thread? I think we all get the point...
"BARBARIC!"
Posted by trainwreck (anonymous) on November 23, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Im tired of politicians telling the people what we can and can't do...and the sad thing is we the people let the politicians decide what we can and can not do! Its really getting old! We have to take a stand at some point in time!
Posted by Liberty (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Looks like twice.
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