By Sondra Washington and Jennifer Davis Rash
Pro-gambling legislators are working feverishly to amend Senate Bill (SB) 380 calling for a vote to legalize and expand gambling in Alabama. But the absence of key supporters and requests from cities omitted from the bill may be stalling its progress in the Statehouse.
Still heated debates and extended filibusters are expected any day for the bill, which many say will change the face of Alabama forever.
In its unaltered state, SB 380, sponsored by Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, would allow 10 “points of destination” across the state to operate for-profit “federally recognized bingo.” This new term renames the currently illegal slot machine gambling commonly referred to as electronic bingo across Alabama and uses the word federal as a way to describe the machines being operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
The bill would legalize slot machines at VictoryLand in Macon County, Greenetrack in Greene County, Country Crossing in Houston County, the Birmingham Race Course, the Mobile Greyhound Park, two locations in White Hall in Lowndes County, one additional location in Jefferson County and in two yet-to-be-announced locations in north Alabama.
All but three locations would have three years to make sure their facilities are valued at $100 million. Greenetrack’s casino would have to be worth $50 million. Locations in Lowndes County would have no minimum investment.
SB 380 calls for a constitutional amendment to be voted on in November. At press time, the bill still allowed any county to authorize for-profit bingo games, which was causing confusion because it is being promoted as limiting gambling facilities to 10 statewide. There were reports that the “all counties” section was being re-evaluated, however.
It also established a state gaming commission to regulate gambling. The bill does not address Indian gambling in Alabama at all.
Bedford noted he has been in intense negotiations with representatives from each of the existing facilities and others from the gambling industry including leaders of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, who own the Mobile dog track. He said the final version of the bill was close at press time.
Many gambling opponents question how a bill written with the help of casino owners would impose strict regulations.
“It would make them a law unto themselves,” said Eric Johnston, executive director of Citizens for a Better Alabama.
Still Bedford believes the bill has “the toughest gaming regulations in the nation.”
SB 380 calls for a five-member gaming commission and tax benefits for all counties, not just those with gambling facilities, he said. Of the 25 percent tax on the facilities, 20 percent would go to the state — 65 percent of that to education and 35 percent to Medicaid.
Gambling opponents say 25 percent is not much when other states charge up to 50 percent in taxes.
Until the Senate passes its version of the legislation, House Bill 507, its companion bill, sponsored by Rep. Marcel Black, D-Tuscumbia, is on hold.
“We are waiting until it comes out of the Senate,” Black said. “Our whole focus right now is to put our efforts behind one bill, the Senate bill, and discuss it from there.
“I’m trying to [solidify the] votes to allow the people to vote. … I’m meeting with them (the various representatives) and discussing concerns,” he said. “My main goal is to tax, limit and regulate gaming in the state and to allow the people to vote on whether or not that is what the people want to do.”
Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, chairman of the Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee, said he wants this bill passed quickly. The committee passed SB 380 without seeing its amended version, citing the details of the bill could be hammered out on the Senate floor.
Share with others: