WBRC Investigates: Gaming continues in Brighton, city scrambles to comply with state law

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The City of Brighton is on the clock. It’s the latest municipality in Jefferson County under the microscope for electronic bingo, or what some consider gambling.

The State of Alabama says it’s illegal and prosecutors continue to shut down gaming operations, freeze assets for cities that don’t comply, and take them to court. If Brighton doesn’t comply with state guidelines, it could be next.

Right now, the city has weeks to come into compliance, something that’s already costing the city significant revenue. Brighton Mayor Eddie Cooper says his office hasn’t granted new electronic bingo licenses since late 2024. Four businesses are operating without a license, only paying the city a monthly entertainment tax. This decision to scale back came after other municipalities amended or outright rescinded their electronic bingo ordinances after the state froze city assets in Lipscomb.

“We are trying to come into compliance with whatever the AG or any entity asks us to do,” Cooper confirmed.

Alabama Supreme Court rulings state bingo must be a game of skill, not chance - like slot machines, which the state’s seized in numerous bingo halls in Jefferson County.

Attorney General Steve Marshall says electronic bingo isn’t being regulated locally as outlined in the law, so his office is enforcing the law.

“Let’s call them what they are, they advertise themselves as casinos in many respects,” Marshall stated. “These are illegal gambling operations and Alabama law says they need to be shut down.”

WBRC launched an investigation to learn more about what the AG describes as an illegal operation and the revenue involved.

Based on public records, Brighton was bringing in around $68,500 a year per gaming establishment.

WBRC’s investigation also uncovered Cooper owns the building where one of the four gaming businesses is still in operation.

When asked if it was a conflict of interest, Cooper replied, “No. I owned the building for years. I worked hard to purchase that building and rented it out for years.”

Cooper bought the property in 2019, according to Jefferson County property records, after he was elected mayor. Records indicate he was earning around $60,000 a year to rent that building to a charity who ran Jay Bird Bingo.

Cooper denies he purchased it with bingo in mind.

“I bought it as a grocery story, we ran it as a general store. Bingo wasn’t running at that time,” Cooper explained. “I bought it because it was an eyesore in my community.”

Cities like Brighton used their city council to create and pass ordinances to govern gaming and collect revenue.

It’s something Marshall strongly cautions cities against.

“That’s absolutely wrong, and to the extent that they are relying on legal advice to that regard, they are being misguided,” Marshall affirmed. “A city couldn’t decide tomorrow that they want by local ordinance to legalize cocaine. It doesn’t allow a city to supersede a constitutional amendment by our state.”

Right now, Cooper says the charities that run the bingo operations are searching for new electronic machines that comply with the state and are a game of skill.

“If we are told everything we’ve done still doesn’t work, we are going to have no choice but to close our bingo,” Cooper admitted.

A difficult decision, as electronic gaming is the city’s financial lifeline.

When asked if the city could survive without it, Cooper stated, “It’s going to be very, very difficult. I don’t see how we can do that.”

Marshall doubled down, affirming cities can’t justify illegal activities to remain financially viable.

“You can’t look to illegal activity to supplement the way to fill the coffers of municipal government,” Marshall stated.

Cooper added finding new revenue to keep the city’s doors open isn’t easy. He’s not only concerned about city revenue, but the people who depend on the gaming operations to pay their bills.

“At one time had car dealerships, a nice McDonald’s that brought in a lot of good revenue, all those have closed. We have to have something to pay our people, many of them are head of household here,” Cooper answered.

Brighton has through the end of March to come into compliance or the Attorney General’s office could move to freeze their assets or ask the court to order the businesses closed.

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