Recreation centres may close 45 – Lowndes Signal

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People like David Edwards head to Whitehall Entertainment to relax and play games like Keno.

Lawyers wrestle with the fate of South Star Entertainment after the Alabama Supreme Court on Sept. 30 called “electronic bingo” an illegal form of gambling.

The 2021 U.S. Census Bureau reported 109 agencies employing Lowndes County residents.

Now, county leaders and citizens wait to learn whether they will lose two of their employers as attorneys and court officials grapple with the fate of three Alabama gaming operations.

White Hall Entertainment and Southern Star Entertainment provide employment to Lowndes County citizens and, according to Commissioner Charlie King, Jr., support the community in other ways as well.

“They’ve been working really hard to donate to towns and nonprofits in the county to support what they’re doing,” King said. “They’ve donated to towns like Gordonville and Mosses, and they employ about 100 people in the area.”

While some see game operations as community partners, others say they have a negative impact on local families.

“We want people not to lose their jobs,” said James Green, pastor of Lowndsboro Baptist Church. “But gambling has consequences. You’re not going to win.”

On September 30, the Alabama Supreme Court issued a unanimous opinion in State v. Epic Tech, LLC., ruling that the so-called “electronic bingo” offered by Southern Star, White Hall and Victoryland was in fact an illegal gambling Known as “video slot machine gambling”.

“The Alabama Supreme Court opinion makes clear what my office has insisted on from the outset: that these gambling businesses are not only clearly illegal under Alabama law, but are a serious threat to public health, ethics, safety, and welfare. poses a threat,” Attorney General Steve Marshall said in a recent press release.

Representatives for South Star and Whitehall declined to comment, but residents who enjoy spending time at the venues said they wanted it to remain open.

“It’s going to be bad [if it closes],” declared Lois Timmons, a resident of the area. “It’s going to take a lot of jobs. “

But gambling, like other addictions, preys on individuals and families, according to Greg Davis, president and CEO of Alabama’s Citizens Action Program.

“Gambling is a notoriously addictive and predatory behavior,” explains Davis. “Gambling violates the fundamental morals of Christianity, destroys lives and families, and is harmful to society. Anytime we can cut off access, it’s positive and will make communities safer and more prosperous.”

David Edwards traveled from Selma to Whitehall to play Keno.

“It gives me time to relax and have coffee,” Edwards said. “It doesn’t make sense to close it.”

Commissioner Robert Harris said the county cannot lose the recreation center.

“We welcome casinos in our county for different reasons,” Harris said. “One is jobs. The other is recreational activities for our seniors. The residents they hire are putting money back into the county. The closure of casinos will have an impact on our economy and impact these people’s ability to provide a decent home for their families. “

The Supreme Court directed lower courts to issue an injunction within 30 days, barring the company from offering electronic bingo machines.

So far, no ban has been proposed.

The Montgomery Advertiser reported Sunday that attorneys for the gaming complex filed a request for review with the Supreme Court on Oct. 14, but the court has yet to respond to whether it will grant the request.