Ala.: Bingo OK'd at Some Dog Tracks

[Mousey]

Bunch of hypocrites.... If bingo isn't gambling, then why restrict it to dog tracks? If bingo IS gambling, why restrict to those damn electronic bingo machines (which I won't touch) and refuse to bring in real slots? Sheesh... enough rant... On w/the news..

March 6, 2008, 10:03AM

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By BOB JOHNSON Associated Press Writer
2008 The Associated Press


MONTGOMERY, Ala. A House committee approved a proposed constitutional amendment Wednesday to allow electronic bingo games at greyhound dog tracks in Birmingham and Mobile.

The House Tourism and Travel Committee approved the proposed amendment on a voice vote. It calls for taxes on the gaming machines to go to the cash-strapped Alabama Medicaid Agency.

If approved by the Legislature, Alabama voters would decide on the proposal in a statewide referendum.

Sponsors say Medicaid would receive about $55 million from the taxes on the machines and as much as $170 million if federal matching funds are included. Medicaid officials have said they will need ....

 

[pokeraddict]

The two tracks I've been to in Alabama already have (had?) bingo, slots and video poker. There is also quasi legal video poker all over the state.

 

[Mousey]

Yes, and the machines have been yanked every so often by the authorities (costing the tracks mega bucks) everytime one of the big political honchos gets religion. I think tracks had video lottery for awhile, those got yanked (more than once). Now they've got the bingo slots & VP. I still won't play 'em.

Authorities are also in an uproar because the Poarch Creek tribe is building a huge hotel/(bingo)casino to go w/their bingo 'palaces'.

I say, fight fire w/fire and legalize gambling -- allowing it only in certain jurisdictions -- and screw bingo slots & VP.