Alabama dog track owners join forces in media campaign for lottery, casino legislation
Alabama’s four greyhound tracks have joined forces to launch an advertising campaign to support legislation to allow a lottery, casinos, and sports betting in the state reported Al.com. The Birmingham Race Course, Greenetrack Bingo & Racing, Mobile Greyhound Park, and VictoryLand have set up a group called the Alabama Track Owners Association to support the campaign. The association is urging people to call their legislators to support a constitutional amendment that would allow the expansion of gambling and gambling regulation. In a press release this morning, the association summarized its message: “Alabama is losing hundreds of millions of dollars in gaming and lottery revenue to Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. This continues to happen year after year because the Alabama State Legislature has not approved the comprehensive gaming and lottery plan that would give the people of Alabama the chance to vote on a constitutional amendment. If the constitutional amendment approving the comprehensive gaming and lottery plan were to pass, the State of Alabama would generate hundreds of millions of dollars in additional tax revenue that could be used to fund Alabama priorities including broadband, healthcare, college & trade school scholarships, new job growth, workforce development, and new business opportunities.” Alabama lawmakers ended the 2021 legislative session without a vote on a gambling bill. At the end of the session, Sen. Jim McClendon stated, “I’m quite disappointed. It was a lot of work, but so much for that this session.” Alabama voters have not had their say on gambling in two decades with Gov. Don Siegelman’s lottery plan in 1999. Any plan to expand gambling in Alabama would require the Legislature to approve a constitutional amendment that would then be subject to approval by voters. The ATOA released a short video ad and phone number for people to call their legislators. Any plans to expand gambling in Alabama would require the Legislature to approve a constitutional amendment that would then be subject to approval by voters. Any casino or lottery bill introduced will need bipartisan support to win approval because of some conservative members’ opposition to gambling.
Gambling king, VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor dies at 78
Gambling king and VictoryLand casino founder Milton McGregor died Sunday at the age of 78. Public relations firm Direct Communications said McGregor died peacefully in his Montgomery, Ala. home. An affable and charming fixture of the state’s business and political worlds, he advertised his casino with the slogan, which he drawled in Southern baritone, “Come join us… you can be a winner too.” His business interests included banking and nursing homes, but he was best known for developing a dog track-turned-casino in the Bible Belt state. The operation at one point boasted 6,400 electronic gambling machines, more than many Las Vegas casinos. Raised the son of a widow who ran a small town grocery, McGregor began finding success in the 1980s at the start of the video game craze, with an arcade and a business leasing the games. He opened VictoryLand dog track casino in Macon County in 1984 and later acquired a defunct horse track in Birmingham for dog racing. He then bet big on electronic bingo. Alabama law allows bingo in some locations, including Macon County. McGregor invested millions of dollars in a VictoryLand expansion, filling it with machines that played lightning quick games of bingo electronically, but on the outside replicated the experience of playing a slot machine with whirling displays and chimes. He added a swanky 300-room adjacent hotel and restaurants in an attempt to compete with neighboring Mississippi casinos. Macon County politicians praised McGregor for bringing jobs to the economically depressed county. But not everyone in the conservative state was pleased by his efforts. The state launched a still ongoing effort to close the casino, saying the slot machine-like games were illegal and not what was intended by the state laws allowing bingo. McGregor came out on the winning side of a high-profile government corruption case in 2012. Federal prosecutors in 2010 indicted McGregor, another casino developer, lobbyists and politicians on charges that they orchestrated a scheme to buy votes at the Alabama State House for gambling legislation. Prosecutors said McGregor was trying to ensure the continued operation of the casino that they said profited $40 million in a single year. A first trial ended with a hung jury. A second jury acquitted McGregor of all charges, and McGregor reopened the casino. “Now I’m focused on getting 3,000 people back to work and charities and governmental agencies receiving revenue, as they should have been all the time,” McGregor told The Associated Press after his acquittal. McGregor is survived by his wife of 50 years, Patricia Turner McGregor, daughter Kim McGregor and husband Dan Hix, daughter Cindy and husband Lewis Benefield. Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
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.
Robert Bentley, Luther Strange call for VictoryLand shut down
Gov. Robert Bentley and Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange have joined forces to shut down VictoryLand casino once again. The two officials sent a letter to Macon County Sheriff Andre Brunson and District Attorney E. Paul Jones asking them to close down VictoryLand on Thursday. Located in Shorter, Ala. the casino had previously been shuttered since 2013, when a raid by the state took 1,615 gambling machines and $260,000 in cash. The casino reopened on Sept. 13, with more than 3,000 people in attendance. “It is widely known that VictoryLand began operations on Sept. 13, 2016 and continues as of today’s date to operate electronic bingo machines,” the letter read. “This is a violation of Alabama law. Electronic bingo has clearly been disallowed by Alabama case law as a form of lottery prohibited under Alabama’s Constitution.” Bentley and Strange asked for a response by Friday, Sept. 30 with a written description on how they plan to enforce the state’s gambling laws. In March, the Alabama Supreme Court said the casino owners were passing off games as “bingo,” ruling the machines illegal. Last month, VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor announced the state closure was illegal, and the casino would reopen despite the court’s ruling saying both the sheriff and district attorney assured him the games are legal. “While it has taken longer than we hoped, 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,” McGregor said in an earlier statement announcing the casino’s reopening.
Despite Alabama Supreme Court ruling, Victoryland casino reopens
Despite an Alabama Supreme Court ruling which shut down its electronic bingo operations for nearly three years, the controversial VictoryLand casino reopened Tuesday. Located in Shorter, the casino has been shuttered since 2013, when a raid by the state took 1,615 gambling machines and $260,000 in cash. In March, the state’s Supreme Court said the casino owners were passing off games as “bingo,” ruling the machines illegal. Last month, VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor announced the state closure was illegal, and the casino would reopen. “While it has taken longer than we hoped,” McGregor said in a statement, “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.” McGregor, who greeted customers at the reopening, said he was not concerned that the state would raid the facility again. “My only concern is taking care of the customers and doing what we want to do for the county and the surrounding area,” McGregor told AL.com. Macon County sheriff and district attorney both say the new machines are legal, he added. The dispute stems from a long-running legal battle over electronic bingo machines, where some say look and feel like slot machines. A ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court said electronic bingo machines are not covered by state laws governing traditional paper bingo games used for charities and fundraisers. The electronic games are much like ones found in three casinos run by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, which are not under the state’s jurisdiction. As for Tuesday’s grand reopening, New Canaan News reports that VictoryLand does not appear to be under any immediate legal threat from local law enforcement. In a statement last month, Macon County Sheriff Andre Brunson said the machines are in compliance with state law. In November, Gov. Robert Bentley rescinded an executive order disbanding his predecessor’s gambling task force, transferring enforcement powers to the state attorney general’s office. According to Bentley, local officials should be the ones handling enforcement of gambling laws. Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange also weighed in, saying past rulings of the Supreme Court have determined that “electronic bingo is illegal.” Strange released this statement Tuesday: “The governor has expressly told the sheriff and district attorney in Macon County that they need to do their job and enforce state gambling laws. If those local officials are disregarding the governor’s order and facilitating illegal activity, then I expect the governor to take action. I stand ready to work with the Governor and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to stop illegal gambling and other crimes.”
VictoryLand casino reopening despite court rulings
The VictoryLand casino is opening in Macon County despite the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that its previous electronic bingo operations were illegal. Scores of cars lined up outside the facility east of Montgomery waiting on it to resume operations Tuesday afternoon. The state seized more than a thousand of the slot-like gambling machines during a raid at VictoryLand in 2013. The Alabama Supreme Court in March ruled the machines were not what was intended by state laws allowing card and paper type bingo games. Owner Milton McGregor last month announced the reopening of the electronic bingo business. McGregor says Macon County’s sheriff and district attorney have assured him the games are legal. He says the casino will offer 500 bingo terminals. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
VictoryLand Casino sets Sept. 6 reopening date
VictoryLand Casino will re-open next month. The Macon County casino, which has been closed three years following a raid by the state Attorney General Luther Strange‘s office, will reopen its doors Sept. 6, according to a press release issued by Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford. Ford made the announcement Saturday saying the chairman of the Macon County Racing Commission Luther Curry was told the news by casino owner Milton McGregor. “I’m calling on all the people in Macon County to stand with [VictoryLand owner] Milton McGregor and make sure that when VictoryLand is opened on Sept. 6 that it stays open,” Ford said in the release. “[McGregor] promised that VictoryLand would reopen before the end of the summer, and Sept. 6 is good enough for us in Tuskegee/Macon County who have waited so long for our homegrown industry, which was illegally closed by Luther Strange, to be reopened.” VictoryLand was raided as part of a statewide crackdown on “illegal gambling” in 2013, devastating the Macon County economy, which has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state. McGregor said recently he’ll reopen with roughly 1,000 employees, down from the 2,000-plus the casino once employed.
VictoryLand electronic bingo machine bill fails in Senate
A bill that would have allowed electronic gambling machines at VictoryLand dog track failed on a procedural vote Tuesday night in the Alabama Senate. Filed by Sen. Billy Beasley (D-Clayton), SB320 — which would allow VictoryLand in Macon County to operate the same bingo machines being used by the Poarch Creek Indians at casinos in Wetumpka, Atmore and Montgomery — was narrowly supported 14-13 for debate, however, a three-fifths majority is required to debate bills before lawmakers pass state budgets. Beasley said the bill would stand to reinforce the current amendment allowing bingo in the county and help to recoup the more than 2,000 jobs lost when the gambling hall was closed down. Late last month, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled once again that electronic bingo is illegal in the Yellowhammer state, making the bill’s passage necessary to continue operations at VictoryLand. VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor has said he plans to reopen despite losing a three-year legal battle over the legality of electronic bingo machines. The VictoryLand bill was the second electronic bingo bill to fall short in the Alabama Senate this month. Last week, a proposal by Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) to add an amendment to the state constitution that would keep GreeneTrack’s bingo casino operational failed by four votes shy of the necessary 21.
VictoryLand owner plans to reopen despite losing legal fight
VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor says he will reopen his casino later this year despite losing a three-year legal battle over the legality of electronic bingo machines. McGregor in a Monday press conference said he hoped to have the casino open by early summer. McGregor criticized last week’s Alabama Supreme Court ruling that electronic gambling machines that had been seized are illegal. The court ruled that the state could keep 1,615 gambling machines seized from VictoryLand in a 2013 raid. McGregor said he has agreements with machine manufacturers to provide machines for the reopening. The casino’s planned reopening could set off a new legal battle over the machines. ___ Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Luther Strange celebrates Alabama Supreme Court ruling against Victoryland
On Friday, Attorney General Luther Strange released a statement praising the Alabama Supreme Court for ruling against Victoryland in a case over the gambling hall’s use of electronic bingo machines. Strange called the ruling a “resounding victory for the rule of law and the definitive word that electronic bingo is illegal in Alabama.” “The Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling is abundantly clear that electronic bingo is illegal and repeated court challenges to the contrary will not change that fact,” Strange said in the statement. “I cannot say it any better than the court itself.” In it’s ruling, the state’s high court said the following: Today’s decision is the latest, and hopefully the last, chapter in the more than six years’ worth of attempts to defy the Alabama Constitution’s ban on ‘lotteries.’ It is the latest, and hopefully the last, chapter in the ongoing saga of attempts to defy the clear and repeated holdings of this Court beginning in 2009 that electronic machines like those at issue here are not the ‘bingo’ referenced in local bingo amendments. It is the latest, and hopefully the last, chapter in the failure of some local law-enforcement officials in this State to enforce the anti-gambling laws of this State they are sworn to uphold, thereby necessitating the exercise and performance by the attorney general of the authority and duty vested in him by law, as the chief law-enforcement officer of this State, to enforce the criminal laws of this State. And finally, it is the latest, and hopefully last, instance in which it is necessary to expend public funds to seek appellate review of the meaning of a simple term — ‘bingo’ – which, as reviewed above, has been declared over and over and over again by this Court. There is no longer any room for uncertainty, nor justification for continuing dispute, as to the meaning of that term. And certainly the need for any further expenditure of judicial resources, including the resources of this Court, to examine this issue is at an end. All that is left is for the law of this State to be enforced.” “I consider the work of my office in bringing the issue of electronic gambling to the courts for final judgement to now be complete,” Strange remarked. “It is now up to the Governor, ALEA, and local authorities to ensure that the law is properly enforced. I am proud of the work of the many local law enforcement jurisdictions who have performed their duty to enforce our laws and I am equally proud of my legal team in bringing this case and the question of electronic bingo to a successful conclusion.”
Committees OK bills to allow Alabama casinos to operate bingo machines
Committees approved two bills Wednesday aimed at gambling halls VictoryLand and GreeneTrack to resume operations without interference from state law enforcement. The Senate Committee on Tourism and Marketing approved SB320 from Sen. William Beasley (D-Clayton), which would allow VictoryLand in Macon County to operate the same bingo machines being used by the Poarch Creek Indians at casinos in Wetumpka, Atmore and Montgomery. Beasley’s bill would codify the legality of the machines and allow the now-closed casino to resume normal operations. He said the bill would stand to reinforce the current amendment allowing bingo in the county and help to recoup the more than 2,000 jobs lost when the gambling hall was closed down. The bill was approved with little discussion. The House Committee on Economic Development and Tourism approved HB419 from Rep. Artis McCampbell (D-Livingston), does essentially the same thing as Beasley’s: It codifies the legality of bingo on electronic devices used by Native American casinos and establishes a gaming commission to oversee the operations. However, McCampbell’s legislation is a constitutional amendment, which means that, if it is passed by the legislature, the voters of Greene County would have the final say in whether or not is in enacted. Beasley’s bill will have to go before the governor if it is able to clear the legislature. Gov. Robert Bentley said last year that he has no further plans to go after gambling operations in the state. Further, Attorney General Luther Strange, who had previously taken the lead in unraveling many state gaming operations, has demonstrated an unwillingness to attack such operations recently. The two bills aim to ensure that the gambling halls are safe from prosecution once Bentley’s time has expired. After gaining favorable reports, both bills are slated to go before their respective houses when the legislative session resumes April 5.
VictoryLand to announce reopening within 2 weeks
Owner Milton McGregor said Friday he will announce his VictoryLand racetrack and gaming facilities reopening dates within two weeks. A news release indicated he hopes to begin operations again by Christmas, and expects to hire about 2,000 employees from Macon County and localities surrounding the Shorter, Alabama, facility. The casino was the subject of a lengthy legal battle after police raided VictoryLand in 2013, seizing $263,105 and 1,615 electronic bingo machines that law state law enforcement said violated anti-gambling laws. Attorney General Luther Strange brought the case against VictoryLand to court, but was not successful in shutting it down. Courts later ruled the casino may re-open, though it could not keep the seized assets. In October 2015, Montgomery Circuit Judge William Shashy dismissed the state’s case, saying prosecutors could not target one facility while others remained in business. The establishment is undergoing renovations and negotiating with vendors in order to return electronic bingo to Shorter, McGregor said.
