VictoryLand Becoming Center Of Gambling Battle In Alabama

VictoryLand is one of the largest employers in the state of Alabama and there is a good chance that thousands of Alabama residents will be following an emergency court hearing set for Thursday.

Hanging in the balance when Circuit Court Judge Tom Young announces whether or not he will lift an order that protects VictoryLand from a Task Force on Illegal Gambling raid will be many jobs. If the order is lifted, the Task Force will move forward with the raid.

Governor Robert Riley has made VictoryLand his prize capture when it comes to all of the gambling raids the Task Force has carried out. Riley has been working to rid Alabama of what he believes is illegal gambling. Several lawmakers have attempted to stop the Task Force, but Riley has had the support of the state Supreme Court.

Attorney General Troy King seized control of the Task Force after asserting that the operation was being run in an unsavory manner. The Supreme Court, however, gave control back to the governor shortly after King took control.

Over 6,000 machines could be confiscated if the Task Force proceeds with the VictoryLand raid. The casino has stressed their desire to continue to provide the employment opportunities that it has for many Alabamians.

"I think it is awful what this Task Force is doing," said Marsha Berry. "While I do not gamble, I have several friends that have jobs in these casinos, and if the casinos are forced to close, they will be out of work at a time when they probably will not be able to find another job."

That is a sentiment shared by many Alabama residents. The economic recession already has the Alabama unemployment rate high, and the casino closures this year have helped that rate rise even higher.

Lawmakers created a bill that would have given voters the power to authorize regulation for electronic bingo machines, but Governor Riley led a charge to keep the proposal out of the hands of voters.

August 4, 2010
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
Submit News!

Gambling Bill Dies, Massachusetts Democrats Looking Bad
Michael Jackson Casino Shows Need For US Online Gambling Law Fix
Patrick Sends Gambling Bill Back To Legislature With No Racinos
Arkansas Gambling Initiative Falls Short Of November Election
Video Poker Debate Not Over In North Carolina