With most state governments facing budget shortfalls over the past few years and no real sign of improvement on the horizon issues on gambling activities such as lotteries, bingo and gambling expansion are being brought to the table. Governments are seeing gambling as a way to increase badly needed tax revenue. However, even though the current economic environment in the United States has highlighted the gambling issue it is not new. Most every year state governments see some kind of proposal. These proposals can range from expanding gambling activity within the state, renewal of casino licenses or state run lotteries, introducing gambling to states that don’t have it already (Hawaii is the front runner, even though it is always voted down. Utah, the other non-gambling state, never had a chance), or the highly controversial introduction of online gambling.
Alabama which is already host to some gulf coast casino sites has been looking at expanding electronic bingo in some areas of the state. Most gambling enthusiasts in the state feel it should be regulated and taxed. Alabama’s state attorney General has already ruled that it is legal under current state gambling laws. This gambling issue brought on the much debated “Sweet Home Alabama” plan. The measure is one that would strictly regulate electronic bingo operations.
The gambling law was set to go forth to the voters. Motions were made for the Sweet Home Alabama plan to be sent to the voting booths. However it had to pass the Alabama state senate. It didn’t. The motion to send the bill out to the tax paying citizens of Alabama fell three votes shy of the twenty-one needed to pass and take the bill to a full debate in the legislative body.
Of course, there has been some political infighting. Some senators are accusing others of supporting the bill just to enhance their own districts. Some claim that is their job. Alabama’s Governor Bob Riley has been accused of being under the influence of casino bosses in Alabama. He denies this. In any case, for the time being “Sweet Home Alabama” is nothing more than a Lynyrd Skynyrd tune. The gambling bill may not be dead, but it’s in intensive care and isn’t expected to last.
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