When it comes to gambling related issues, there is never a dull moment in Alabama. When legal battles are fought by the gaming establishments and lawmakers, it’s followed with barely suppressed excitement by all Americans. A Task Force on illegal gambling is in existence in the state and is the bone of contention between the two warring parties.
The arrest of two prominent gaming establishment owners for the part they played in a buy and sell votes scheme made huge news in the state recently. Both claim that they are innocent and have been illegally arrested after being framed by the authorities.
One of the arrested, Ronnie Gilley’s case became extremely difficult to prove. The case stems from a bill that was proposed earlier this year for regulating electronic gambling machines in Alabama. This legislation was termed corrupt by Governor Robert Riley who vehemently opposed it. It was revealed in October that Gilley and another associate were found guilty along with other lobbyists and gaming owners of offering millions of dollars for voting in favor of the bill. Many senators who are said to be involved in the matter have also been indicted on charges of accepting bribes from gambling establishment owners.
Yet another piece of exciting gambling news comes from Texas which is one of the most e most conservative states in the country when it comes to gambling. While a majority of states in the U.S have made a continuous effort to move in the direction for obtaining full legislation for online gambling, Texas lawmakers are yet to get excited about the idea.
Perhaps the only senator who thinks on a different line is Representative Richard Pena Raymond. He is smart enough to realize that given the circumstances, he has hardly any chance of getting laws passed that would regulate gambling in the state. He has therefore placed the issue in the hands of Texans themselves Raymond’s bill proposes to deal with the issue of dozens of casinos in Texas which pay out more than the state legal limit. The authorities have suspended many such casinos or paying out more than $5 in cash.
However, Raymond claims that Texans have varying views on the issue and wants them to have the final say in the verdict. The tough part of the proposal is the prospect of facing an immediate closure of all gaming centers is the legislation bill gets passed. It is only after the law is in place that those who want the gaming establishments to continue will be permitted to petition that the issue be placed for voting.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the law enforcement agencies are having a tough time controlling the activities of the gaming establishments in the state. They are woefully short of manpower required to enforce legal action against those offering slot-like games. Also, it is a hugely expensive proposition and the cost is likely to run into millions of dollars.
Texas legislators are treading with extreme caution on the issue but at the same time are seized of the seriousness of the matter. Many other states in the U.S, has seen gambling being expanded into some form or the other to beat the economic crisis. Texas has so far not taken any step towards that direction.