It appears humorous and ludicrous but it is actually
sad because people’s lives are being affected. This political chicanery is
adversely affecting the lives and livelihoods of folks who want to work and
live in one of Alabama’s poorest counties.
Over a decade ago these folks voted overwhelmingly
for a constitutional amendment that allowed them to have electronic bingo. The
constitutional measure was not vague or ambiguous. It is clear as a bell. They
constitutionally have the right to have gambling in their county.
It should be noted for those who are confused by all
of the theatrics involved, that no court has yet ruled on their sanctity and
right to have gambling in Macon County. The people of Macon County went at it
the right way. Their constitutional provision was clearly passed by the
legislature and then voted on and approved by the people.
Then, three years ago, here comes Bingo Bob Riley
riding his white horse out to VictoryLand along with almost every trooper in
the state to close the facility down. Never mind that VictoryLand had been open
the entire eight years of Riley’s term without any disruption. I am not saying
he had any ulterior or self-serving motives in his last actions as governor.
However, it is clearly documented that Riley received over $400,000 from the
Indian casinos for his 2002 gubernatorial campaign. In that campaign Riley won
by less than 1% of the vote. It could be that the Indians were calling in their
chips. I am not saying, but it looks like that might be a good bet as to what
happened.
Indeed the closing of VictoryLand created quite a
bonanza for the Alabama Creek Indian casinos. For the fourth year in a row they
have experienced record setting growth. According to the Indian Gaming Industry
Report released two weeks ago by Casino City Press, revenue for Alabama’s
Indian casinos grew by over 26% in 2011. The report says Alabama leads the
nation in revenue growth for Indian gambling. All of this is a direct result of
the continuous havoc being played on the private constitutionally granted
casinos by Bob Riley and now Luther Strange.
You can draw your own conclusions as to whether
Riley’s hands are clean. In order to accomplish his mission he had to sidestep
the Alabama Constitution and usurp the authority of Attorney General Troy King.
King stated that he thought VictoryLand was operating legally under a
constitutional amendment.
Now comes current Attorney General Luther Strange,
who says he is now in charge. Well again, “who’s on first” and who is in
charge? They keep moving the goalposts and changing the rules in the middle of
the game. Is the governor in charge or is the attorney general in charge? Who
orders the dispatch of hundreds of troopers from their assigned posts to attack
the feared fortress of VictoryLand as though Al Capone or Bonnie and Clyde are
holed up there and are eminent threats to the lives of all Alabamians.
It is even more confusing to the average Alabamian
when one day the Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control Board issues a liquor license
to VictoryLand and declares that their machines are legal, then the next day
Big Luther raids the place and declares the machines illegal.
In fact, the entire Alabama Court of Criminal
Appeals has agreed with the ABC Board that the machines are legal. The
presiding Circuit Judge in the proper venue, Tom Young, has declared the
machines legal. The sheriff of Macon County, who is charged with deciding what
is legal, has declared the machines legal. It looks like the only one who
thinks the machines are illegal is Big Luther. Maybe it is for political
reasons?
It is definitely illegal to bet on a football game
in Alabama. It would seem more logical to spend the state’s money clamping down
on bookies in Birmingham than folks playing bingo in Macon County.
Maybe it is time for Gov. Bentley to assert himself
on this issue. Most folks would like the opportunity to vote on this type of
gambling as well as a lottery and clarify the issue once and for all.
See you next week.
About the author: Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading
political columnist. His column appears weekly in more than 70 Alabama newspapers.
Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. He may be reached at http://www.steveflowers.us.
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