Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that submits a constitutional amendment to the voters that authorizes the operation of bingo games, authorizes the levying of taxes on such games, and creates the State Gaming Commission to regulate bingo activities.

Highlights:

• Specifies that a tax of at least 25 percent of bingo revenue shall be levied on the operators of electronic (or mechanical) bingo games, and that the proceeds of the tax shall go to public schools, the state Medicaid program, specified senior programs, the "Intellectual Disability/Mental Retardation Waiting List," and the counties (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that a portion of the aforementioned tax equal to at least 5 percent of the bingo revenue shall be distributed to the counties (Sec. 3).

• Establishes a 5 member State Gaming Commission to regulate, to enforce state gaming laws, and to provide for the licensing of all gaming operations in the state (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits the appointing of members to the State Gaming Commission who have been employed by the gaming industry in the five years prior to the appointment, and prohibits a member of the State Gaming Commission from being employed by the gaming industry in the five years following his or her service on the Commission (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that members of the State Gaming Commission shall be subject to the Alabama Ethics Law (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits a gaming licensee or an applicant for a gaming license from contributing to any public official authorized to make an appointment to the State Gaming Commission (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text