No More Bingo Machines
Bingo’s temporary death in the 2010 legislative session puts the issue of electronic gambling machines back in court and doesn’t change anything in the 16 counties with bingo constitutional amendments.
Gov. Bob Riley, who is attacking electronic bingo in court and with law enforcement agencies, said he’ll continue to push to eradicate bingo that he believes is being played on illegal slot machines.
“I don’t know if we’re going to change anything,” Riley said Thursday, the final day of the 2010 session when the nail was hammered into the bingo coffin. “As long as they try to operate slot machines in the state of Alabama, it’s incumbent on us to enforce the law.”
Bingo dominated the 2010 legislative session but ended its run on Wednesday, when the House sponsor, Rep. Marcel Black, D-Tuscumbia, withdrew the bingo constitutional amendment from consideration when he realized he didn’t have the 63 House votes needed to pass it.
Bingo’s official obituary was written the next day when the Legislature adjourned without passing the bingo measure by Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville.
Bedford’s amendment, handled by Black in the House, would have asked voters to approve electronic bingo, create a regulatory commission and allow the Legislature to tax its proceeds.
Bingo’s major political supporter in the governor’s race, Democratic candidate Ron Sparks, said Friday he’s more resolved than ever to get a bingo constitutional amendment to voters if he’s elected in November. He said it’s unfortunate voters won’t get the bingo constitutional amendment this year, but he believes the issue isn’t dead.
