Two popular Pelham businesses that had their business licenses revoked during paper bingo nights were allowed to remain in business after a unanimous vote by the Pelham City Council. More than three dozen people showed up to show their support for Lil Bits Tavern and Pub 261, saying both establishments stopped allowing paper bingo game nights after learning it was against the law. The support, according to Pelham City Council President Maurice Mercer, made a difference and was partly why the council voted unanimously to allow both establishments to keep their business licenses and continue to operate. “Given all the support they’ve had here this evening and the fact that they will no longer be participating in bingo and just want to operate their businesses as they did before excluding bingo, I think the council saw fit to continue . to allow it,” said Mercer. The news came as a surprise to business owners. His client, the owner of Pub 261, received a letter saying bingo was not allowed in county, so they stopped. But now, it could have cost them their business license. >> LATEST: Headlines and weather from WVTM 13Wallace said paper bingo is common in Pelham and throughout Shelby County. There are even ads for it throughout the city, Ainsley Allison, with the city of Pelham, defined paper bingo in an email to WVTM.” for illegal gambling well established under state law,” Allison said. That’s why he was surprised to learn a letter was sent to Pub 261 two weeks ago. The letter said those game nights are a violation of Pelham city ordinances. That means restaurants and bars like Pub 261 and Lil Bits Tavern require bingo permits, but they can’t be issued. Allison said that’s because paper bingo is a violation of state law and that “there is no bingo permit available because bingo is illegal.” “Pelham’s city ordinances state that businesses will operate in a manner consistent with state law. If the state law isn’t going to change, the city of Pelham can’t even consider a licensing or permitting framework of what is allowed or not allowed and how,” 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 says it is still being done in other cities within Shelby County, such as Calera, Helena and Alabaster. Wallace said. “It’s going to hurt a lot, and in these economic times, you have to stay on top of things, because they can just go a few miles down the road and play bingo all they want.” are upset. A lot of people are calling us. A lot of people thought we were already closed.” In response, Allison stated that “The City of Pelham will be operating in accordance with state law.” allowed paper bingo and until then, the city can’t give them a permit to legally host game nights.Wallace said he’s already working to get the issue on the ballot in the next election to do so county legal paper bingo.
Two popular Pelham businesses that had their business licenses revoked during paper bingo nights were allowed to remain in business after a unanimous vote by the Pelham City Council.
More than three dozen people showed up to show their support for Lil Bits Tavern and Pub 261, saying both establishments stopped allowing paper bingo game nights after learning it was against the law.
The support, according to Pelham City Council President Maurice Mercer, made a difference and was partly why the council voted unanimously to allow both establishments to keep their business licenses and continue to operate.
“Given all the support they’ve had here this evening and the fact that they will no longer be participating in bingo and just want to operate their businesses as they did before excluding bingo, I think the council saw fit to continue .to allow this,” Mercer said.
Before Monday’s meeting, the news came as a surprise to business owners.
Attorney Michael Wallace said his client, the owner of Pub 261, received a letter saying bingo was not allowed in the county, so they stopped. But now, it could have cost them their business license and they were fighting to stop it.
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Wallace said paper bingo is common in Pelham and throughout Shelby County. There are even advertisements for it all over town.
Ainsley Allison, with the city of Pelham, defined paper bingo in an email to WVTM.
“Paper bingo, where money is paid by each player for a chance to play and win a cash jackpot is a form of illegal gambling well regulated under state law,” Allison said.
That’s why he was surprised to learn that a letter had been sent to Pub 261 two weeks ago. The letter said those game nights are a violation of Pelham city ordinances.
This means that restaurants and bars like Pub 261 and Lil Bits Tavern require bingo permits, but they cannot be issued.
Allison said this is because paper bingo is a violation of state law and that “there is not a bingo permit available because bingo is illegal.”
“The city of Pelham’s ordinances state that businesses will operate in a manner consistent with state law. If state law is not going to change, the city of Pelham cannot even consider a licensing or permitting framework for what to allow. or disallow and how,” 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 says this is still being done in other cities within Shelby County, such as Calera, Helena and Alabaster.
“It’s going to hurt us,” Wallace said. “It’s going to hurt a lot, and in these economic times, you have to stay on top of things because they can just go down the road a few miles and go to Jefferson County and play bingo all they want. Our customers are upset. Many people are calling us. A lot of people thought we were already closed.”
In response, Allison stated that “The City of Pelham will operate in accordance with state law.”
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Wallace said he was told the entire county would have to vote to allow paper bingo and until then, the city can’t give them permission to host game nights legally.
Wallace said he is already working to get the issue on the ballot in the upcoming election to make paper bingo legal in the county.