by Steve Norton
CEO, Norton Management

Legislators head back to Montgomery today, reminded Alabama gambling laws ‘crystal clear’

My comment:

Governor Bentley has had a casino Study Group meeting for several years on what Alabama's position should be on gaming. A Statewide Lottery has been under discussion, and a belief, possibly misunderstood, that a Lottery would automatically allow Class III gaming for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

I believe there are several States, with Lotteries, where Federally recognized Tribes on recognized reservations, have not been able to get Federal approval for Class III gaming.

In many states, Tribes have been allowed, by the Feds, to operate Class II bingo type slot machines. Class II slots are what the Alabama Tribe indicates are the type of machines they operate. With casino gaming available in Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and North Carolina; and now under consideration in Georgia, possibly as close as Columbus, I would expect Alabama to carefully study whether any type of gaming is appropriate for the State.

And like Georgia has done, consider how much Alabama resident casino play is going to other casino jurisdictions, like Biloxi or Florida.