Posted by On Thursday HB 676 by Representative Marcel Black and SB 471 by Senator Quinton Ross regarding the play of bingo in Alabama were introduced. The introduction of these bills was long anticipated.
It is reported a group of gaming operators have been meeting in Montgomery for months in an effort to forge an alliance, coalesce support and form legislation.
The playing of bingo in Alabama should be regulated and taxed.
The play of electronic bingo is in Alabama to stay, if at a minimum at three Indian facilities. The federal government regulates this and there is nothing the legislature of Alabama can do to stop it. It’s here like it or not, and there isn’t a cent of taxes being paid to the state by these Indian casinos. There is also bingo played in other counties such as Greene, Lowndes, Macon and Walker. With the exception of Walker County I don’t know how much local tax revenue is generated. In Walker County bingo is the first or second greatest stream of tax revenue to the county government, where over $3 million is collected annually.
There should be a state gaming commission, which regulates all gaming in the state. In my home county I have personally observed how the lack of regulations has caused problems in this industry. Any gaming in Alabama should be heavily regulated. A gaming commission with long, sharp teeth, not those of a toothless paper tiger, should regulate the licensing and regulation of all facilities.
Gaming if allowed should generate the most revenue possible for the local and state governments. This legislation is seriously flawed in this area. First, the proposed law limits the amount of tax that could be levied by the local government. I disagree with that provision. Second, there are some bingo facilities that would only be taxed at a 10% rate for five years while others would be taxed at a 20% rate immediately. In my opinion the proposed tax is too low and should apply equally to all.
The concept behind this legislation is good. The problems are found in the details of the legislation, many of which I have not addressed in this post.
On a personal note, I consider myself friends with many who support this legislation both at the state level and in my local house district, and the house sponsor, Representative Marcel Black is one of my dearest friends. However, on this issue we need to step back and look at the issue for what it is, not for who may support certain aspects of the legislation.
This legislation deserves much scrutiny as it moves through the legislative process.
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Representative Guin – let’s set aside the Creek casinos for a minute.
Who owns the bingo casinos that will receive the licenses (14 gambling centers)? I would like to see a list of names. Does this bill create a monopoly for those casino operators?
Spoken like a true politician, Mr. Guin. Whatever free people decide to do, you feel an obligation to control it and take a part of the proceeds. You have an obsession with power. How dare the Native Americans, whom you call Indians, live free from your control.
The atmosphere of total government control has become rancid and stale, Mr Guin. The new wave of Democrats has awakened a long dormant rebellious spirit of free Americans who will no longer tolerate an oppressive government.
Take time to reflect for whom you serve so that your efforts are not wasted.
Wiregrass Republican – the Creeks call themselves “Indians”.
http://www.poarchcreekindians.org/xhtml/index.htm
Mark this down on your calendar – it may be the only time I’ll come to Rep. Guin’s defense :)
Rep. Guin, the bill specifies why these certain facilities receive the lower tax rate. That is due to their massive building projects/expansions that are either scheduled or currently going on. They get the lower tax rate to allow them to rebuild the capital they are investing in these massive projects.
Reactionary – You are correct. They refer to themselves as “Indians” when speaking to an English speaking audience. Much as I referred myself as an “Amerikaner” when speaking to a German audience.
It’s better to be understood the first time than translated the second time.
However, a Representative of the Government that is quick to change the name of a school mascot so as not to offend a tribe or an entity should certainly have the awareness to be more astute when referring to his own native culture. After all, he is an American, and should know better.
Mr. Guin what I don’t understand is why you were 100% Anti-Bingo when this all started a few years ago and now your 100% for it??? Sounds like to me money talks and B.S. Walks Huh?! What really gets me is all the b.s. About how the charitys run the bingo halls and get the money they make. That’s a joke, I could name the owners of 90% of the bingo halls because I know them and I promise all of you people these owners are so RICH it’s unreal! Just to give you a little taste of what kind of money they make, ONE bingo hall made $750,000.00 in ten hours on a Tuesday! I know this for a fact and I’ll leave it at that for my safety. These people are getting so rich everyday and it’s really killing the state of Alabama so bad. I pray to the good lord that these rich behind the scenes true owners get what they deserve in the end. Maybe when the Feds wake up and see what is really going on these rich people will go to jail where they belong. It’s sad how bad the people who play these slot machines are getting rip-off. When you make so much money you can pay the big shots off, than who cares what the machines are set on. It’s really sad or state leaders have let this happen to the good people of Alabama just to make a handful rich. They have made so many millions i’m sad to say there here to stay. The day will come when these rich heartless owners will have to stand before the good Lord and answer to him why they put money before God. I’m glad to know all there millions won’t help them when that day comes. May God bless the GOOD people of Alabama.