Editorial: Illegal Gambling? - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorial: Illegal Gambling?

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  • Editorials

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;

  • Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-14 23:20:07 GMT
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 

  • Thursday, May 9 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-09 23:20:06 GMT
    What was the old Pan-Am gas station at the corner of Bibb and Coosa is now no longer.  Last weekend that landmark was demolished with nothing remaining where it once stood other than the outline of a foundation. What
    What was the old Pan-Am gas station at the corner of Bibb and Coosa is now no longer.  Last weekend that landmark was demolished with nothing remaining where it once stood other than the outline of a foundation. What
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If the gaming machines statewide are illegal, they should be shut down. If they are not, they should be taxed.

It is ludicrous what is going on statewide. It boggles the mind and frustrates even the most casual observer.

Several businesses are pocketing gaming money tax free.

Constitutional amendments permitting charity bingo were approved for many counties. State Supreme Court rulings indicate electronic bingo as used in these counties is not legal but our attorney general doesn't agree.

It appears specific test cases for each county using the machines need to be ruled upon so let's get that done so we can: Stop the search warrants, raids and restraining orders. Stop the name calling, hostile letter writing, and questionable actions by circuit court judges. Stop putting hard working citizens in a cycle of uncertainty regarding their jobs.

This isn't the wild West but supposedly the civilized South.

Our attorney general should shut down the machines if they are illegal. If they are not, they should be licensed for a fee and taxed!