Alabama Gubernatorial Candidates Take Sides On Gambling

With the legality of gambling at the center of controversy in Alabama, the state’s gubernatorial candidates are taking sides.

While both candidates, Republican Robert Bentley and Democrat Ron Sparks, both support a referendum for voters to decide if they support gambling Bentley’s recent comments raise concerns for those who support the electronic bingo casinos.

“It’s my intention to get rid of all gaming in Alabama” Bentley said.

Bentley called Alabama’s charity bingo parlors a “farce” and supports a straight up or down vote on legalizing gambling with a no vote allowing him to follow in the current Governors tracks.

Governor Bob Riley has created a task force on illegal gambling and has raided and shut down numerous casinos in the state calling their electronic bingo games illegal slot machines. Only one casino, VictoryLand, remains open pending the outcome of a court battle over the legality of the machines.

Opponent Ron Sparks says that the small amount the casinos have actually paid to charity, under Alabama law, proves the need for legislation to legalize, tax and regulate the casinos with revenue instead benefiting education and Medicad. Sparks also vowed to dismantle the task force.

“Gambling is all around us” Sparks said. “It’s not going away.”