What’s the latest news
VictoryLand: Milton McGregor opened a new 300-room luxury hotel at his VictoryLand complex in Shorter on Dec. 9, according to The Associated Press (AP). McGregor plans to open a 1,500-seat entertainment center and convention complex in 2010. The two-part update to the dog track is valued at $100 million, according to AP.
VictoryLand’s electronic bingo gambling “casino” has more than 6,000 slot-type machines and is the largest of its kind in the state. Casino City’s North American Gaming Almanac claims VictoryLand has more slot-type machines than casinos in Nevada, New Jersey and Mississippi, according to AP.
Decatur: In case there is any confusion over the type of bingo welcome in Decatur, City Council members unanimously passed a resolution Dec. 21 to prohibit electronic bingo gambling.
Although Councilman Roger Anders said the city’s original bingo ordinance, passed in 1996, allows “card” bingo games only, the five-member council is asking the Morgan County legislative delegation to pass a bill defining bingo as traditional paper games to eliminate any potential misunderstanding over the matter.
“The issue is that in places with similar ordinances that were not specific [on what bingo is], some (companies) have gone to court, saying some of the machines have cards in them,” said Anders, the resolution’s sponsor.
“We didn’t want to get into a court battle over what we thought it (bingo) is versus what someone else assumed bingo was. … The bingo … we have in Decatur is what we want.”
Midfield: The Midfield City Council voted 5–0 Dec. 28 to allow electronic bingo gambling in the city, according to The Birmingham News. The new ordinance calls for a minimum of 500 machines in an establishment.
Electronic bingo gambling operators will pay $100 per month per machine the first year, then $200 per month per machine the second year, according to The News. Also licenses for bingo operators will cost up to $15,000 a year, and machine manufacturers will pay $500 per machine per month and $25,000 each year for a license.
It is unclear how the City Council’s decision will play out in light of a pending circuit court ruling about the legality of electronic bingo gambling in the Bessemer Cut-off, a separate political subdivision of Jefferson County. Midfield is part of the Bessemer Cut-off.
The ruling by Jefferson County Circuit Judge Eugene Verin is expected in January.
Legislature: The Alabama Legislature opens Jan. 12 and electronic bingo gambling bills are expected to be among the main pieces of legislation claiming legislators’ attention.
To stay informed about what is happening in the state Legislature, read The Alabama Baptist each week and visit www.thealabamabaptist.org and www.alcap.com often. To contact your senator, call 334-242-7800. To contact your representative, call 334-242-7600.
Share with others: