We are closer to a lottery than we have ever been.
We are closer to casinos than we have ever been. Real casinos, not casinos pretending to be bingo parlors.
We are closer to sports betting than we have ever been.
Alabama is closer to a comprehensive gambling bill than ever before, and this is good.
State Senator Del Marsh (R-Anniston) has carried this baby and is ready to deliver it.
We can debate the merits of each form of gambling and whether we need each one. However, you probably need all of them to make this proposal work.
You can also debate how all that sweet tax revenue that is going to be generated will be doled out.
Education Trust Fund? Scholarships? General Fund? Medicaid expansion? Rural broadband expansion?
None of this part matters. The Alabama Legislature, the Islamic State or even Joe Biden’s reelection campaign could allocate this money to my pocket, and voters would probably approve of this bill so they can buy lottery tickets in Ardmore, Alabama, as opposed to Ardmore, Tennessee.
This thing is pretty close to being a done deal, but should it be?
The picking of winners and losers is something government regularly does, but should they?
We all hear about the “smoke-filled rooms” where the movers and shakers meet to sort out the particulars of any legislation, and we all know that is a little overblown — but is it?
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PCI) and the cabal of “bingo” operators in the state appear to have come together in agreement to “allow” the state to move forward with expanded gambling in the state, as long as they get something out of it.
The PCI get to expand their empire, as long as they cut the state in.
The quasi-legal “bingo” operators get to have their businesses legitimized, as long as they cut the state in.
The state gets money, and that is what it wants.
But what about fairness?
Some legislators have raised this issue; why can’t the Wiregrass or Huntsville-Madison County have some of this sweet casino action?
In Dothan, Ronnie Gilley went to jail after building a gambling facility and attempting to buy his way into legality. He got caught and went to jail, while his late former partner got off and is about to finally get legal status for his VictoryLand casino.
Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong appeared on WVNN’s “The Dale Jackson Show” last week and stated that he has no desire to bring gambling to his county, which is fine, but should these doors be closed so the PCI and others can have exclusive rights on the matter?
There are, of course, legit reasons to limit the casinos in the state. You don’t want strip malls filled with slot machines, and you don’t want fly-by-night cash grabs.
In my opinion, the bill should be written to make that impossible, without handing the keys to the kingdom to a small group of people.
Change the bill.
Create capacity, investment, payout and job-creation requirements.
Limit the number of casinos per-county or city.
Even if you have to protect the current players, and you probably do, don’t do it to the detriment of competition and ultimately revenue for the state.
Force casino owners to create the best experience and venues possible to grab the dollars of those who want to gamble; this will make them all better and more likely to succeed.
That helps create a gambling bill with an opportunity for winners rather than government ordaining winners.
Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 7-11 AM weekdays on WVNN.
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