Gubernatorial Outcome Could Shape Future Of Gambling In Alabama

Right now, lawmakers in Alabama are debating whether or not the voters should have the final say in the electronic bingo issue. These lawmakers must realize, however, that voters will have their feelings on the gambling issue felt in the upcoming election.

Governor Robert Riley has made it clear that he believes there should be zero gambling in the state of Alabama. Riley has set up the Task Force on Illegal Gambling last year to eliminate the gambling currently taking place.

The future of gambling will be in the hands of the person that succeeds Riley. Of all the issues that could determine who becomes the next governor, none may be bigger than gambling and it is already a major spot of contention among those running for the job.

State Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks is one of the politicians that believes Alabama is ready for major gambling expansion. He has already contested publicly Riley's policies regarding gambling, and his vision of the future is grand.

Sparks is in favor of full-scale casino gambling, including games such as blackjack, roulette, craps and other card games. Sparks also would favor legalized sports betting. All of these betting options would have to be heavily regulated and must bring in much revenue for the state for Sparks to consider them a strong option.

Republican counterpart Bill Johnson is showing that this is not an issue split along party lines. Johnson also favors gambling expansion if it will bring Alabama the much needed revenue to help with the current budget deficit.

US Representative Artur Davis has gone on record as saying he would favor a lottery. Electronic bingo, a heavily debated issue these past few months, would be fine with Davis as well.

Other Republicans, however, have not expressed similar views as Johnson. Robert Bentley and Tim James both could do without gambling altogether in Alabama. Republican James Potts is sitting on the fence on the issue, claiming that voters should decide the future of gambling in the state.

While the gambling issue may not be resolved before Governor Riley leaves office, one thing has become clear. Whether Alabamians liked his methods or not, Riley has done more to advance the gambling discussion in the state legislature than any of his predecessors.

March 15, 2010
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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