Bingo Bill: What’s Next?
Lance Griffin/Dothan Eagle
Published: April 8, 2008
Now that the Houston County bingo bill sponsored by Sen. Harri Anne Smith, R-Slocomb, has been signed out of the Local Legislation Committee and referred to the Tourism and Marketing Committee, what can Houston County residents expect next?
Typically, committees shy away from supporting local bills that do not have unanimous support from the local delegation and the county commission. However, anything is possible in the Alabama Legislature and some scenarios exist that could push this bill out of committee and onto the Senate floor.
(1) The chairman of the Tourism and Marketing Committee is Sen. Bobby Singleton, who represents Greene County in west central Alabama where Greenetrack has electronic bingo. Singleton has been attempting to push a bingo bill onto the Senate floor that would transfer electronic bingo authority from the Sheriff of Greene County to a racing commission, and would also provide more money for local governments through electronic bingo revenue. Singleton has been having trouble getting his bill heard, and could be inclined to help push the Houston County bill forward if he could, in turn, get his bill heard. The Senate debated an almost identical bill Thursday afternoon from Sen. Myron Penn, who represents Shorter where Victoryland hosts electronic bingo. The Senate, however, appears to be at an impasse on the issue, so the scenario is possible, but not likely.
(2) The Governor has expressed opposition to any measure that expands gambling in Alabama, and could call in favors to keep another electronic bingo center from locating in Alabama.
While those scenarios exist, it is not believed the 3/5 vote needed to pass the bill will happen, even if the bill makes it to the Senate floor
The Tourism and Marketing Committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday at 12:30 p.m., but is not currently scheduled to debate the Houston County bill. It could, however, be placed on the calendar any time between now and then. There are 12 days left in the current legislative session and much of the remaining time will be spent debating the general fund and education fund bills.
The status of bills, Senate and House Audio, standing committee assignments and other legislation can be found here
Reader Reactions
Posted by ( ) on April 17, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I can’t wait until CC is built, as i said I may not play bingo but i will enjoy the family entertainment,gospel theaters, George Jones dinner Theater,all the family fun,if you don’t like it don’t go.I am a Baptist but i don’t go tell any of my churches what i want and don’t want and say that’s the way it should because i don’t want it than you are not going to get it.
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Posted by ( ) on April 09, 2008 at 3:48 pm
I cannot believe that everyone would not support Country Crossing. This will be a boon to the whole area. If people do not want to go, they don’t have to, but, don’t spoil it for the rest.
Mississipi had a law that there would be no gambling on the mainland…that is, until Katrina and they lost their revenue..then they changed their minds, Fast!
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Posted by ( ) on April 09, 2008 at 7:17 am
I really hope Country Crossing’s and the electronic bingo get’s to be built here, I have talked with alot of retirees who would come to live here because they will have lot’s to do and all of them like to gamble a little or a lot. The
point is, more money for the area and good people will move to the area, not to mention all the jobs
and new careers that will come out of this. I just ask everyone to come out and support this don’t hide in the shadows.
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