Big ‘bingo’ bill on fast track in Senate

Pro-gambling senators wasted no time Feb. 9 moving Senate Bill 380 out of committee and past its second reading in order to have it positioned and ready for immediate debate.

At press time, the legislation — which calls for a constitutional amendment to be voted on in November — was at the top of the calendar for Feb. 16. The constitutional amendment would legalize slot-machine gambling in 10 locations in the state.

It’s companion bill, House Bill 507, sponsored by Rep. Marcel Black, D-Tuscumbia, was expected to be vote out of the House Tourism and Travel Committee soon.

Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, chairman of the Tourism and Marketing Committee, said he wants this bill passed quickly. He and others were even willing to pass it out of committee without seeing the final version, noting they would hammer out the details in debate.

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.

Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, sponsor of the bill said the bill also has “the toughest gaming regulations in the nation.”

The legislation 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.

Noting he has been in intense negotiations with representatives from each of the existing facilities and others from the gambling industry, Bedford said the final version of the bill was close at press time.

But senators opposed to gambling are ready to take on the bill. First line of attack — filibuster.

This bill is not about letting the people vote (see story, page 5), Sen. Hank Erwin, R-Montevallo, said.

“If the gamblers want to vote, it means that’s their last ditch attempt to stay in business,” he said.

Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Birmingham, said,  “If these (gambling) bills pass, it will change the culture of Alabama and we will be known as a gambling state. … I don’t want that for my kids or grandkids.” (TAB)