Alabama lawmakers from three counties attempt to ban electronic bingo with legislation

24 April 2009

As reported by: The Birmingham News
Legislators representing three Alabama counties aren't waiting to find out whether a court rules or a statewide law is enacted to regulate, limit or flat-out ban electronic bingo machines.

They're trying to stop the slot-like machines before they can crank up.

Legislators representing Autauga and Elmore counties have introduced bills that would allow voters to decide whether to ban electronic bingo machines in those counties, except at an Indian reservation in Elmore County. A proposal to ban all electronic gambling machines in Cullman County is being advertised by Rep. Jeremy Oden, R-Eva.

Those are in addition to a proposal from state Sen. Hark Erwin, R-Montevallo, to hold a statewide vote on whether to make electronic bingo illegal.

"I think a majority of Alabamians are against them," Erwin said. "I don't think they want it proliferated in their back yards."

Electronic gaming - particularly bingo - has been a hot issue across Alabama.

Supporters of one bill have launched the "Sweet Home Alabama" campaign. They say the bill would let the voters decide whether to regulate bingo, tax it, and confine electronic bingo to large destination places in a select number of counties.

Bingo is illegal in the state except in 16 counties and two cities where local constitutional amendments allow it to benefit charities. In at least three counties and one city that have the amendments, casino-like bingo parlors have popped up in the past two years.

Some state and local officials have deemed the machines to be illegal, and officials in at least two counties - Jefferson and Madison - have moved to shutter both charitable and non-charitable electronic bingo operations. The governor's task force on gambling also recently raided and confiscated machines at a bingo hall in the town of White Hall.

Police and sheriff's raids at bars and convenience stores across the state in the past few years have netted a variety of gambling machines, including video poker.
Article By: The Birmingham News

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