Excitement was in the air at Big Hit Bingo located in Calhoun County, Al on White Oak Drive.
On the grand opening ready to take in around 1,000 players it was a packed house on Friday July 22 with bingo players coming as far as Georgia for a chance to win big.
Revenue from sales was to go toward the Stable Learning Center in Hobson City.
According to Calhoun County Sheriff Larry Amerson they did not have a valid permit to play bingo at the facility and it was the DA who informed the attorneys of the bingo hall.
To have a valid permit individuals have to hold a bingo board commission meeting with a quorum to pass it. While they did have the meeting, it was the quorum in question. It also requires individuals to apply to the Calhoun County Commission for a background check.
"The night they met that they didn't have a quorum, they had a vote and the chairman said the permit was valid, but the chairman also came back and notified us that he had rescinded that permit. Bingo for money is legal in Calhoun County if you do it right. If you don't do it right, it's illegal gambling," said Amerson.
Authorities went in with a valid search warrant closing down the bingo hall until further notice. There were no arrests according to police and the facility will not be allowed to reopen for business until the proper licenses are issued.
On the grand opening ready to take in around 1,000 players it was a packed house on Friday July 22 with bingo players coming as far as Georgia for a chance to win big.
Revenue from sales was to go toward the Stable Learning Center in Hobson City.
According to Calhoun County Sheriff Larry Amerson they did not have a valid permit to play bingo at the facility and it was the DA who informed the attorneys of the bingo hall.
To have a valid permit individuals have to hold a bingo board commission meeting with a quorum to pass it. While they did have the meeting, it was the quorum in question. It also requires individuals to apply to the Calhoun County Commission for a background check.
"The night they met that they didn't have a quorum, they had a vote and the chairman said the permit was valid, but the chairman also came back and notified us that he had rescinded that permit. Bingo for money is legal in Calhoun County if you do it right. If you don't do it right, it's illegal gambling," said Amerson.
Authorities went in with a valid search warrant closing down the bingo hall until further notice. There were no arrests according to police and the facility will not be allowed to reopen for business until the proper licenses are issued.
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