Electronic Bingo Coming To The Mobile Area?

The City of Prichard has paved the way for electronic bingo.
The Prichard City Council approved an ordinance Monday that would allow the machines to provide extra money for the city.
The vote was 3 to 2.
Prichard Mayor Ron Davis said, "I can see bingo bringing jobs, revenue, and stability in ad valorem property taxes."
But City Council Member Troy Ephriam said, "I think its already been established that the ordinance is legally contentious and has the probability of being challenged in court."
But Mayor Davis thinks the ordinance adheres to the state constitution.
Retired city workers have been watching the city's pension fund run out of money.
T.C. James said, "I think it'll be a good thing, if they can get it. It is no different from Prichard having it and Chickasaw having it, and Mobile's got bingo."
But under the ordinance passed by the council, revenue from electronic bingo would go to general needs, not necessarily the pension fund.
Davis said, "Its not fair to the pensioners, its not fair to the people of Prichard and I would not even recommend that we would give it to one source."
The next step is for the city council to appoint a bingo commission.
But for now, the debate goes on.
City Council Member Napoleon Bracy, Junior said, "We've petitioned Wal Mart. Wal Mart is not coming to Prichard. We petition all of these stores. We need revenue for our city."
Alberta Young with the Concerned Citizens of Prichard said, "To me, gambling is at the bottom of the pole. If you want to do anything, bring some business where everybody can participate."
Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson told News Five Monday night that the use of electronic bingo machines in areas like Prichard is a violation of state law, and that, if they come in, he'll pick them up.