Federal judge weighs in on Alabama bingo battle

Gary Palmer, president of the Alabama Policy Institute: “U.S. District Judge Lynwood Smith, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton in December 1995, has issued a ruling that could help bring some clarity to the issue of bingo operations in Alabama . . . The limitations on ‘charity bingo’ outlined in Judge Smith’s opinion should encourage local officials to enforce Alabama’s laws and will hopefully encourage the Alabama State Supreme Court to rule on this issue. Smith’s ruling should also give pause to those pushing for ‘charity bingo casinos’ in other areas of the state who have predictably responded that Smith’s ruling does not apply to them.”