Hundreds Of Gambling Employees Forced Out Of Work In Alabama

The unemployment rate in Alabama rose on Monday after VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor closed the doors to his gaming establishments. McGregor was forced to close after increased pressure was put on the facility by the Task Force on Illegal Gambling.

Alabama Governor Robert Riley began the Task Force to combat what he perceived as a legal problem with electronic bingo machines in the state. The Task Force has already raided several gaming establishments and cost thousands of people their jobs. McGregor is concerned about the families of the workers who will be out of work today.

"We are deeply saddened our 600 remaining employees will be forced out of a job just days before the start of the school year," said McGregor in a statement released Monday morning. The VictoryLand owner had even harsher words for Governor Riley and his Task Force Chief John Tyson.

"It is apparent from (Task Force Commander John Tyson) and Riley;s latest legal shenanigans and threats that they will stop at nothing to put on a show and attempt to raid VictoryLand to garner one last bit of publicity before Czar Riley leaves office and the Task Force is disbanded," said McGregor.

Democrat Ron Sparks is one of the front-runners to replace Riley as Governor, and Sparks has already indicated he would be willing to regulate gambling in Alabama. Other gubernatorial hopefuls are split on the gambling issue, but with the public upset with the Task Force, there is little change the Task Force would continue to operate no matter who won the election.

Alabama lawmakers had attempted to pass a bill that would have allowed voters in the state the right to choose whether or not to regulate gambling. The legislation was shot down by a largely Republican legislature.

Attorney General Troy King did not like the means by which the Task Force was operating earlier this year, and attempted to take control of the Task Force. The state Supreme Court, however, ruled that Governor Riley was within his rights to create and oversee the Task Force.

The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Riley several times on the gambling issue, but has yet to clearly define electronic bingo machines as illegal. Instead, they have taken each case on an individual basis.

August 9, 2010
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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