Gambling Developments

by: mooncat

Sat Feb 06, 2010 at 12:09:42 PM CST

There is not hotter topic in the state of Alabama right now than gambling, its legal status and its future.  Here's a short roundup of the latest events in what may become known as the ballad of bingo.

• Sen. Marc Keahey has proposed the Alabama Bingo Control Act. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians are backing this one.
• The Greene County sheriff won't allow the Governor's task force on gambling to raid Greenetrack.  Are we about to see armed conflict between law enforcement agencies in Alabama?
• Milton McGregor says Victoryland won't reopen any time soon.
• Bessemer bingo halls were ordered to shut down by 6 pm yesterday. DA Arthur Green said, "In my judgment, folks, the gig is up. You can't play bingo on machines in Alabama and be legal."
• A new poll shows majority of Alabamians support regulating and taxing gambling while about 25% support outlawing it outright.  I'd love to see the questions and actual percentages on this poll instead of a watered down report.