Alabama Slots Debate Begins
The Alabama Senate began debate Tuesday on bills to allow 10 Class II slots at casinos in the state.
Meanwhile, none other than Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton are coming to lend their support to the effort.
They will march Saturday in a Montgomery rally supporting bingo workers who have been laid off as a result of casino closings in Gov. Bob Riley’s war against them.
In other developments:
• Sen. Roger Bedford is revising his bill to tax casino revenue at 27 percent, up from his original 25 percent proposal. The bill also includes a 10 percent tax on machine manufacturers and a 5 percent tax credit for casinos that invest more than $100 million on non-gaming amenities.
The debate also includes a bill that would define bingo and prevent Gov. Bob Riley from trying to shut down existing bingo casinos.
• Chickasaw, which was raided by Riley’s anti-slots tax force hours after it opened last Thursday, is suing the state, Riley and the task force commander.
Among other things, the suit seeks a court hearing on whether its machines are legal under standards recently set by the state Supreme Court.
In the past, courts have rejected lawsuits by other casinos seeking protection from law enforcement actions, saying police can’t be sued to try to stop an investigation.
The issue of Class II slots has grown important for slot manufacturers with estimates that Alabama is worth 3-4 cents a share in earnings to IGT and 7-8 cents to Bally and Multimedia Games.
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