Contact Beasley and Forte about gambling bill | News | unionspringsherald.com – Union Springs Herald

By Faye Gaston

Citizens of Bullock County can contact their government leaders about the bill on gambling in Alabama. Bill SB214 states: To establish an Alabama Education Lottery and the Alabama Education Lottery Corporation, to establish the Alabama Gaming Commission to regulate the conduct of bingo, charitable bingo, sports wagering, and casino-style games; to impose license fees and a tax on certain gaming proceeds; to authorize the commission to adopt rules governing the licensing, administration, and conduct of sports wagering; to authorize the Governor to negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians for the operation of casino-style games on lands held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians; and to require the legislature to meet in special session to enact implementing legislation.

A description of the bill from the South East Law Institute states: "This bill is a constitutional amendment to remove all restrictions on gambling in Alabama. While it will be voted on by the people, it has very little substance and will leave much of the decision-making to the Alabama Legislature. Here are some pertinent points: (1) There are no mandatory provisions to address gambling addiction and related problems.

(2) The bill has few details. If the people approve all of these forms of gambling, all authority is delegated to the legislature to pass general laws to implement this gambling monopoly in Alabama. The Alabama Education Lottery Corporation and the Alabama Gaming Commission will be laws unto themselves. (3) The forms of gambling authorized by the bill will be old fashion charitable bingo, electronic bingo, lottery, and casino-style and sports gambling. (4) It creates a monopoly allowing gaming at seven sites: Jefferson County, Mobile County Greentrack and VictoryLand, and three Poarch Indian sites, i.e., Atmore, Wetumpka, and Jackson or Dekalb County. No other sites are permitted.

(5) Gambling revenues from the above-listed venues will be taxed at 20% payable to different government recipients, including 75% of the said 20% payable for broadband expansion (65%), rural health care services (25%), and mental health services (10%). Lottery revenues will fund a post-secondary scholarship program. (6) The Governor is given authority to negotiate a compact with the Poarch Indians concerning what gambling they may have and, presumably, what taxes they will pay. However, the bill contains no provisions as to those terms. The Indians have participated in the preparation of this bill, but the facts are kept from view".

Bullock County citizens may contact their Alabama government leaders, representing them to let them know if they favor this bill or oppose it. State Senator Billy Beasley represents Bullock County in District 28. Contact him at 334-261-0868 or billy.beasley@alsenate.gov, or 11 South Union Street, Suite 737, Montgomery, AL 36130-4600. State Representative Berry Forte represents Bullock County for District 84. Contact him at 334-261-0566, or berry.forte@alhouse.gov, or 11 South Union Street, Room 540-D, Montgomery, AL 36130-4600.

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Contact Beasley and Forte about gambling bill | News | unionspringsherald.com - Union Springs Herald