Alabama state Senator Del Marsh’s proposed constitutional amendment, SB 214, would expand gambling with a state lottery and five new casinos, with four located at the Birmingham Race Course, VictoryLand in Macon County, Greenetrack in Greene County and the Mobile Greyhound park. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians would operate a fifth casino in Jackson or DeKalb counties in northeast Alabama.
Marsh’s proposed amendment also calls for a gaming compact between the governor and the Poarch Band that would allow the tribe to offer full-scale casino games at its electronic bingo venues on tribal lands in Atmore, Wetumpka and Montgomery.
Naturally, opinions vary regarding Marsh’s measure. The Alabama Media Group asked several of its own columnists what they thought about it. Here are some of their wide-ranging comments.
Kyle Whitmire, political commentator: “The best argument for legalizing gambling in Alabama is that it’s a bad idea that stands in the way of good ideas. We’ll never move beyond this bad idea until we try it and fail. Among the reasons Alabama lands at or near the bottom of most objective measurements of quality of life is we keep trying to make poor folks pay for everything. Alabama’s taxes are horribly regressive. Legalizing gambling in Alabama does nothing to fix this problem. To the contrary, it again deflects the burden away from the people and corporations with means to bear it.”
Roy Johnson, who calls himself “a voice for what’s right and wrong” in Alabama: “I’m not a big gambler, though I’m not against it at all. Now, finally, it seems most Alabamians are weary of this sure-fire loser bet: Watching millions leave our state because our Southern neighbors long overcame any righteous indignation over gambling and accept our hard-earned dollars with a smile as they hand over lottery tickets, a handful of chips or a roll of quarters for slot machines. Senator Del Marsh’s bill isn’t perfect. Its five-location limit should be thoroughly debated and resolved such that establishments in municipalities with amendments allowing some form of local wagering aren’t shuttered. In whatever form, the bill deserves to be put before voters now. Taking the gamble, as always, should be our choice.”
Dana Hall McCain, who covers faith, culture and politics: “There are three tiers of problems hanging around the proposed gambling bill: moral problems, ethical problems and cultural problems. On the moral front, the bill creates–quite intentionally–a revenue production system known to fleece those who least need to lose money at a craps table. Is it voluntary? Sure it is, but does our state want to be in the business of fostering vices that have destructive consequences for many individuals? If this bill becomes law, gaming will be the boss, and the Alabama Gaming Commission overlords who run it will be the kingpins. And with the power granted to them to direct casino traffic and cash, cronyism will be our ever-present companion. A lottery is one thing, but an expanded statewide network of casinos will negatively change Alabama in myriad ways. Legislators should reject this bill.”
Cameron Smith, former vice president and general counsel for the Alabama Policy Institute: “The first illusion is that all gambling is the same and ought to be addressed by one piece of legislation. In truth, there are three main issues: a lottery, class III or casino-style gaming and sports betting. Combining them is a political tool to push through bad policies with more popular ones. A state-run lottery is an absolute failure of sound governance. For as inept as government can be, it must not knowingly harm citizens. Regardless of politics, that should be a minimum threshold for the role of government in society.
Amanda Walker, who also contributes to AL.com, the Selma Times-Journal, Alabama Gazette, Thomasville Times, and West Alabama Watchman: “Gambling is already allowed in the state and the legislature tries every year to reinvent the wheel, rather than just accepting that it is a form of entertainment.
“It is not a moral dilemma. Legislatures are not elected to make moral laws. They are not the moral police. And for that matter, what is immoral about gambling? And how does anybody differentiate at this point, with the backdrop of the world behind it?”
