Good Ol' Boys Win One In Alabama With Gambling Plan Shelved

There are conflicting reports to what actually happens behind the scenes when it comes to gambling halls in Alabama. The Governor, Bob Riley, has put together a task force to try and stop what he believes is illegal gambling machine operations in the state.

While he is supposedly trying to shut these operations down, others have been lobbying to expand the state's gambling hall options. Then, there is a third group, which consists of the current owners of the existing gambling halls, that is pouring money in campaign contributions to ensure things stay status quo in Alabama.

The special interest group and the governor received good news this week when lawmakers who were sponsoring the "Sweet Home Alabama" gambling Bill, shelved the idea at least until the next legislative session. They claim they do not have enough votes for the plan to pass the Senate this time around.

A similar situation is happening in Florida where lawmakers are receiving large amounts of campaign donations from groups with gambling interests. The Republicans in the state legislature may be holding out in Florida from completing any gambling expansion deals so they can continue to receive the large donations for an extra year.

The Bill in Alabama is aimed at taxing, regulating, and expanding electronic bingo gambling, which already exists in the state. Governor Riley's task force has already raided several of the existing bingo halls, and one judge actually ruled that one of their raids was unconstitutional.

The governor had that ruling overturned by appealing to a higher court. He has plans of continuing his assault on an industry that no judge has definitively ruled is illegal under state law.

May 6, 2009
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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