Macon County sheriff David Warren refused to give Macon County Investments Inc (MCI), abd Reach One, Teach One of America Inc. a license to operate a charity bingo facility in Macon County. Because of this they brought a lawsuit in 2006 claiming that the refusal of a bingo license would make VictoryLand a monopoly on bingo and that they were denying them equal protection under the law.

This week a federal judge decided to dismiss the lawsuit. During the case the sheriff’s lawyer, Fred Gray Jr., stated that the sheriff was not breaking the law but carrying it out. He said a law, approved by voters in a 2003 amendment to the Alabama Constitution, required the Macon County sheriff to oversee "the rules and regulations of charity bingo in Macon County." What's at the heart of the matter is will the sheriff be allowed to regulate bingo as he is required to do under the constitution," Gray said, "and the federal court's answer via its ruling is yes."

Another reason the judge dismissed the case according to Gray is that the businesses bringing the suit had no standing because they had no assists, cash or buildings in Macon County. There is also another lawsuit pending that was filed by Lucky Palace that is challenging the sheriffs ability to enforce who receives a license or not. No comment was made on this case due to litigation reasons.

The MCI president, Frank Thomas has filed a motion with his attorneys for reconsideration. He doesn’t understand why the case was dismissed two weeks before going to trial. VictoryLand has said they are allowed to have bingo licenses because they are trustworthy. The games that take place at the facility serve 60 nonprofit organizations. "Our charity bingo has helped fund such fine organizations as the YMCA, Macon County's public schools and a huge list of other charities to the tune of several million dollars," McGregor said. He said in addition to the millions it pays to local charities, VictoryLand has contributed almost $150 million in taxes since its inception in 1983 and employs 1,200 workers in Shorter.

The business is currently receiving a $100 million expansion that will be complete in 2009. It will be a “Las Vegas” style facility and a hotel that will bring many jobs to the county. "VictoryLand will continue to be a good corporate citizen, as we've been for the last 24 years," McGregor said, "and continue to pay taxes, hire more employees, and take good care of our customers."


- 2007-11-29