Gambling, Again
HB527 is a very difficult issue for me. I will tell you up front that I am an absolute opponent of gambling in any form. I’ll also tell you this: I am solidly undecided and uncommited on this bill.
Of course, gambling exists in Alabama in several forms. And what is being refered to as “bingo” is actually “one-armed bandits”. They already exist in Alabama in several limited locations: Greene County, Macon County, and at locations operated by Poarch Creek Indians. In this bill, it would allow those same machines to operate at the Birmingham racetrack and the Mobile racetrack, two venues where gambling in other forms already exists. The operators at those locations are willing to accept a tax to be able to compete with the other locations where the machines exist. If that were all the bill did, I would firmly oppose it.
But the bill does something else: It has what appears to be an absolute ban on the sweepstakes machines that have been located on many unregulated sites at convenience stores and parlors scattered throughout the state. For the moment, many are shut down, but they’ll be back in a slightly altered form under the current law with a new round of court challenges to come, a continuing cat-and-mouse game with the fly-by-night gaming industry.
Even with that I was still unlikely to support this bill until lobbyists representing the Poarch Creek Indians and Green Track began stating their case to me. As I listened to their side, it has become obvious to me that this bill is not about gambling vs. not gambling, but it is a fight among competitors. I believe the entire gambling industry is a blight on our society and if it were in my power, I would shut them all down. But since I can’t, let them compete.
There is one other key point that I believe is important about this bill: It will require a statewide vote for approval. If that happens, there will be a great deal of public discussion about it and points will be brought out that I and others have overlooked. I enjoy it when the conversation is about issues, rather than personalities (I wonder if the media will EVER let poor Anna Nicole Smith rest in peace).
I am convinced that when the people really have their attention on an issue, they are far more perceptive than many political hacks believe. Maybe the public debate on this one would be a good thing. I like to hear some of it before next Tuedsay.
Comment by Willie
Those of us in the southern part of the state think a bit differently.
To the west of us, we have Biloxi full of casinos. To the east, we have the Florida lottery, and the busiest outlet on our stateline for Florida in selling tickets. Probably some day casino cruises will be coming to the panhandle like they have in southern Florida. Our Catholic heritage has no problem with gambling, so we travel everyday to these locations. My non-scientific survey of these locations tell me that maybe one in a thousand cannot afford to go.
Our failed lottery initiative, thanks to the Mississippi indians and bunch of corrupt evanglicals, has further reduced the number of Alabama kids going to college.
If anything, our piece meal, backdoor approach to this gambling issue further puts us behind on the Gulf Coast and the South. Our motto will always be, “Alabama, the Last in Everything”.
Comment by Don
Fools walk in where angels fear to tread, so hear I go. Personally, I don’t like the idea that government can tell people what they can or can’t do as long as they aren’t harming another person or their property or infringing on their rights or liberty in some way. Far too many people who gamble are those who can least afford it and are hoping to strike it rich. When they lose instead of win they are harming themselves, but if they are harming others who depend on them for financial support maybe government has a role to play in trying to protect those who depend on them by making gambling illegal. Since there’s no way to determine if a gambler is hurting his family members or others by losing money that could be better spent on their support, I guess gambling should be illegal, which it supposedly is in Alabama. Yet, it exists in many forms and in many venues, and that’s just a fact that has to be addressed. If gambling can’t be totally eliminated (and it seems that it can’t) then I think a way should be found to tax those who operate it just as other commercial enterprises are. I also think that some sort of compact should be reached with the Poarch Creek Indians that would allow the state to get some financial benefit from their operations, if that’s possible. Those are my rambling thoughts for what they may or may not be worth. It’s a tricky situation and I’m glad I don’t have to make the decisions.
Comment by Peter
It seems to me that one of the only legitimate arguments against gambling is the protection of the poor from their own bad choices. But if we, as a state, are so concerned about the well being of the poor, why do we have such a regressive income and sales tax structure? You know, the one that after last year’s remarkable revisions, managed to move Alabama up to 49th most oppressive on families in poverty. The one that taxes baby formula, but not chicken feed. The one written by big business interests for their complete benefit…
Comment by Reactionary
I am either for gambling or against it. What I want is consistency.
What I mean is that if there is ANY legalized gambling in the state (i.e., dogtracks), then the lottery and casinos and video gaming should be legal.
If the people don’t want gambling, then all gambling should be illegal.
Disclosure: I go to TN often and usually pick up some scratch offs while I’m there (but since it’s for the children - including my NSV niece - I don’t feel so bad about wasting a few bucks).
More disclosure: I don’t like dogtracks because they have a history of mistreating dogs.
Comment by Dan
I think I agree with Reactionary. Let’s either gamble or do away with it. This county-by-county, dog track vs. bingo stuff just seems counterproductive. You even mentioned something about competition, but the government will always be interfering with the market as long as our current policy continues. At the very least, we should let the local governments decide what to do — all of them.
So I guess that brings us back to your original concern, but I don’t know what I would do either.
My personal opinion is that the state shouldn’t play morality police and say no one can operate a casino, even though some regulation would be helpful. I also don’t think the government should be a direct participant (like Georgia’s lottery), but what’s wrong with “allowing” a questionable activity like gambling and just taxing the hell out of it.
Pingback by BTL: Gambling bill quietly falls
[…] April 10, 2007 Gambling bill quietly falls Dan on 2007-04-10 @ 10:11 pm From what I can tell from ALISON, HB527, which was discussed earlierby guest blogger Rep. Mike Ball, was debated but a BIR to bring the bill to a vote was not voted on. Some say this bill had enough votes to pass, but not the 3/5 required to pass a Budget Isolation Resolution. […]
Comment by kyle
listen why dont we think about this as a country and not a state or county ALL PEOPLE PLEASE READ THIS LET IT GO. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A FREE COUNTRY i dont see many damn things free about it. if you want to gamble gamble. if you dont then dont go in the damn place. if we could only get people to mind their own business the world would run more smoothly. i mean i beileve in god and everything and but i dont believe he needs us to control everything. let people do what they want when it comes time to meet him they will suffer if its meant to be. i dont even play these stupid games i am just tired of hearing about it if u like it play it and if u dont then leave it alone. just pass it and let people make their own decisons. i feel like these idiots in politics are my parents from when i was a teenager. get out of peoples lives and do ur job and help people. i dont see any way to help anyone by banning it really. but if u pass maybe our finanical situation will be better. hold on let me guess it is taking peoples money or something like that, but i dont want to hear that either because if they want to play then they are goin to find somewhere to play it. and if it is taking their money then it is their own fault, who cares i guess that is their problem and maybe people on drugs will go spend their drug money on that something we can tax. i swear people in this state are IDIOTS. if it isnt hurting let it go. if it hurts change it.