Kay Ivey informally dissolves Alabama Advisory Council on Gaming
Gov. Kay Ivey is shutting down the Alabama Advisory Council on Gaming. Established in 2016 by then-Gov. Robert Bentley, the 11-member committee was to examine the impact of distinct types of gambling on state revenue. But since the board has not held a meeting in over four months, several sources have told the Alabama Political Reporter that Ivey has “unofficially” dismantled the Council. “It was my understanding that it died when Ivey came in,” one person said. “The work was done, all that was left was writing the report. And the report wasn’t far from being completed.” Council Chair Clinton Carter, Alabama’s state finance director, had been compiling a comprehensive report, when Ivey’s office informed him that the governor had no further interest in the report. During the board’s brief existence, members — comprised of both pro- and anti-gaming lawmakers — heard several presentations from a variety of experts such as casino owners, law enforcement and lottery directors from Louisiana and Connecticut, as well as gambling opponents. While there has not been a dollar figure on travel and other costs related to the committee’s meetings, the Reporter estimates it could be in the thousands. Bentley asked the Council to offer a list of facts for lawmakers to use in determining the future of gambling in Alabama. Carter’s report would not have recommended any choice of action for the state, simply listing pros and cons on revenue and other factors. “For example, if we just did a lottery, here’s what it would mean for revenues, the laws that could change, the effect on several entities, etc.,” another person told the Reporter. “There were too many different opinions on gaming for the committee to reach a conclusion that everyone agreed on.” One common attitude among committee members was to allow Alabama citizens to vote on gaming in one, or many, forms. “The only discussion on the committee was about making sure we gave voters clear and complete information,” another person said.
Robert Bentley announces members of Alabama Advisory Council on Gaming
Gov. Robert Bentley on Friday announced the appointments for his newly-created Alabama Advisory Council on Gaming. Bentley’s appointments come three weeks after he announced the formation of the council earlier this month by signing Executive Order Number 24. The Council has been tasked with examining both state and local laws on gambling, taxes generated, and evaluate the best practices on gambling in other states, as well as compare Alabama to federal legislation governing gaming. “I am looking forward to the recommendations presented by this 11 person Advisory Council,” Governor Bentley said in a news release. “In recent years, a considerable amount of time and resources have been spent debating gaming in Alabama; however I am hopeful this group will present some new ideas or solutions that can help resolve this ongoing dispute and provide a clear direction going forward.” Finance Director Clinton Carter has been named chairman of the Advisory Council by the Governor’s Office. The appointments are as follows: Governor’s appointments: Jim Byard, Jr.: Director of Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Clinton Carter: Director of Finance Department Curtis Stewart: Deputy Commissioner of Alabama Department of Revenue Carrie McCollum: General Counsel for Alabama Credit Union Administration Connie Rowe: State Representative Pro Tem’s appointments: Bobby Singleton: State Senator Greg Albritton: State Senator Speaker’s appointments: Jim Carns: State Representative Craig Ford: State Representative District Attorneys Association: Barry Matson: Deputy Director Sheriffs Association: Bobby Timmons: Executive Director All appointments are effective immediately. The Council will be meeting through the remainder of the year and will present their findings and make recommendations to the Governor, the President Pro Tem of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House on Jan. 31, 2017.
Gov. Robert Bentley seeks comprehensive review of gambling in Alabama, forms new Gaming Council
Gov. Robert Bentley is calling for a comprehensive review of gambling in Alabama, with the formation of a panel to provide recommendations that could lead to substantial changes in how gaming is addressed throughout the state. On Monday, Bentley signed Executive Order 24, creating the Alabama Advisory Council on Gaming. The job of the council will be to examine both state and local laws on gambling, taxes generated, and evaluate the best practices on gambling in other states, as well as compare Alabama to federal legislation governing gaming. According to the governor’s official website, the board will include seven appointments by the governor, two from the Alabama House of Representatives — named by the House Speaker; one Democrat and one Republican — two appointments from the Alabama Senate chosen by the Senate President Pro Tem (one from each party as well) and additional appointments “as the governor deems necessary.” Also, the council will include a member of the Alabama Sheriffs Association and one from the Alabama District Attorneys Association, each appointed by the governor. Alabama has long struggled with the issue of gambling, as lawmakers faced several bills this year aimed at loosening gambling laws, allowing the state to take part in the lucrative gaming industry. Although several bills had made headway through the Legislature, Alabama Today has reported earlier that few have gained traction during the 2016 Legislative Session, which was “marred in controversy over ill-fated budgets and sexually explicit recordings.” In August, the Greene County Circuit Court sided with the state of the of Alabama over controversial seizures of electronic bingo machines at the Frontier Bingo of Knoxville. In March 2014, Alabama law enforcement officers raided several casinos in Greene County, seizing cash and more than 1,000 illegal bingo machines. The raids and subsequent ending of bingo operations were “extremely detrimental to the quality of life” in the region, according to some community leaders. Another salvo in the battle over gambling was fired by the VictoryLand Casino, which reopened despite a ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court shutting down electronic bingo operations for nearly three years, The Shorter casino has been shuttered since 2013 when a raid by the state took 1,615 gambling machines and $260,000 in cash. The Supreme Court said in March that casino owners were passing off games as “bingo,” and the machines were illegal. Nevertheless, in August, VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor announced the state closure itself was illegal, and the casino reopened in September, without any immediate threat from local law enforcement. “While it has taken longer than we hoped,” McGregor said, “the time is now here, and we are pleased that hundreds of our people will have a new job, and VictoryLand will be generating a badly needed shot in the arm for Tuskegee and this entire region of Alabama.” In November 2015, Bentley rescinded an executive order disbanding his predecessor’s gambling task force, transferring enforcement powers to the office of Attorney Gen. Luther Strange. Strange had also pushed hard against gambling, mainly daily fantasy sports leagues operating in the state. Earlier this year, Strange had sent cease and desist letters to FanDuel and DraftKings, calling DFS “illegal gambling.” “As attorney general, it is my duty to uphold Alabama law, including the laws against illegal gambling,” Strange said in April. “Daily fantasy sports operators claim that they operate legally under Alabama law. However, paid daily fantasy sports contests are in fact illegal gambling under Alabama law.” The state’s attitude on gambling could change considerably, based on the recommendations of the newly formed Gaming Council. “Gaming in Alabama has been a long-term subject of dispute and controversy,” Bentley said in a statement. “This council will work to provide a fresh perspective on past efforts and a clear path forward as it pertains to gaming in the State of Alabama.” Bentley said he will soon name the appointees and set a date for the council’s first meeting. The board has been given a Jan. 31, 2017 deadline to present findings and recommendations on gambling to the Governor, the Senate President Pro Tem, and House Speaker.
