Lipscomb bingo hall reopens less than two months after AG’s office seizes stolen, illegal gambling machines

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – A Lipscomb bingo hall is back in operation just two months after being shut down by the Alabama Attorney General’s Office.

Jay’s Charity Bingo reopened despite an August raid that uncovered dozens of gambling machines stolen from state evidence, along with more than 100 other slot machines that were deemed illegal.

Footage from the seizure shows state agents recovering the machines, many of which had stickers identifying them as evidence from a previous raid. This seizure targeted an illegal gambling operation in Selma, and the machines were found at the Lipscomb hall.

The reopening has raised questions within the community, with many locals, including Reverend Vincent Whitt, expressing confusion and concern.

“I’ve been in contact with the city council, different members of the city council, and they don’t understand how it was able to re-open,” said Whitt.

A man who identified himself as the owner of Jay’s Charity Bingo declined to comment when asked how the business was able to reopen so quickly.

On Wednesday afternoon, new gambling machines were seen being unloaded into the hall, a stark contrast to the legal actions taken by the Attorney General’s Office just months earlier.

Whitt and other members of the community are calling for further investigation.

“We’re really requesting the attorney general comes in and find out how these bingo halls are opening,” Whitt said.

City officials are also puzzled by the reopening. One city councilor stated they were unaware that Jay’s Charity Bingo would be back in business. According to local ordinances, the number of bingo halls in the city is limited, and the council is responsible for voting on which businesses receive licenses. It remains unclear whether Jay’s Charity Bingo is operating under the same license it had prior to the raid.

Reverend Whitt questioned the actions of the city’s mayor, suggesting that the mayor’s office is not being transparent about the situation.

“How they’re able to operate without the city council voting on the ordinances in place… We’re really looking to find out why she doesn’t do what she’s supposed to as mayor,” he said.

There is further controversy surrounding the city’s police chief, who was placed on administrative leave. Some members of the city council allege the move was made to prevent enforcement of the ordinance regulating bingo operations.

In addition to the stolen machines seized in August, a spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office confirmed that more than 100 other machines at Jay’s Charity Bingo were considered illegal gambling devices.

The mayor has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.

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