Florala Historical Society President Linda Russell said Thursday the board is waiting on “direction” from the city council before deciding what to do with its newly obtained bingo permit.

Sheriff Dennis Meeks issued the permit to the non-profit organization March 9. Since then, the group has made no public comment as to what it intends to do with the permit.

“Right now, we’re waiting on a recommendation or direction from the city before putting the issue back in front of the board,” Russell said. “But if (attempts to obtain) electronic bingo (in Florala) fails, we will consider paper bingo.”

In February, the city announced that the Florala Historical Society had entered an agreement with a developer in Gulf Shores. That developer is associated with gaming interests in 27 states and has proposed building an entertainment complex in Florala that would include a full-service restaurant, sandwich shop, retail, entertainment venue and hotel. The developer expected to create 1,500 jobs.

The permit is effective March 4, 2010, through March 4, 2011, and states that bingo games can be held at 1099 Fifth St. in Florala on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.

A historical society member said the permitted location is the group’s historic depot.