Uproar In Alabama Over Gambling Raid, Riley's Appearance In Cal.

The people of Alabama have had enough of their governor, and they are creating an uproar over activities either taking place, or set to take place, this week. The two major areas of malcontent are an expected gambling raid, and the governor's appearance at the college football national title game.

Governor Riley has upset many of his supporters over the past year with his mixed message regarding gambling in Alabama. On Thursday, the Governor's Task Force on Illegal Gambling was set to raid Country Crossings entertainment complex.

The complex gives employment to thousands of Alabama residents that would be without jobs if the entertainment center was raided. A last minute order from a judge, however, has stopped the raid from taking place.

Complicating matters more for Riley is that Alabama is considered to be one of the poorest states in the country, according to some analysts, yet Riley has flown out to California for the college football national championship game that the Crimson Tide are playing in.

"I can't believe that the governor is considering cutting jobs, meanwhile, he is out on a vacation in California," said Marc Brummer, "It just goes to show that he is insensitive to what is going on in the state of Alabama."

College football has become a source of controversy for Riley. Before the SEC title game, Riley made a gambling bet with Governor Charlie Crist of Florida. Once word leaked of the bet, Riley attempted to backtrack, claiming he would not be seeking to collect on the bet.

That response did not go over well with residents who had the knowledge of Riley paying off the same bet a year earlier when Florida won the game. The fact that Riley is in California while other state workers are in danger of losing their jobs because of budget crunches, has Alabama residents concerned about the choices their leader is making.

The Country Crossings issue is part of a bigger gambling issue that Riley has solely become judge and jury over. Riley was helped with a recent decision of the state Supreme Court in one illegal gambling machine case. The court, however, was quick to point out that their ruling did not set a precedent for all gambling machines in the state.

"I have family members that work at Country Crossings," said one Alabama man who wished to remain anonymous, "If this raid does take place, they would all be out of jobs, and then what? Does (governor) Riley care more about keeping them employed, or just his personal anti-gambling agenda?"

January 7, 2010
Posted By Larry Rutherford
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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