Issue Position: Opposes Gambling

Issue Position

Gambling is illegal in Alabama except for a few exceptions (horse racing,
dog racing, and charitable bingo). I cannot support gambling and as an attorney and a Citizen of Alabama it is my duty to obey and uphold the law. Currently, possession of slot machines is illegal under Alabama law. Many establishments are in possession of slot machines illegal under the guise that they are under a charitable bingo exception. Our Courts have continually held that these slot machines are not charitable bingos and are therefore illegal. The Alabama Code 13-12-20 of 1975 states that these slot machines are illegal. In fact, this statute defines what is a slot machine. Furthermore, Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb who sits on the Alabama Supreme Court has indicated these bingo machines are slot machines in disguise. Time and time again Citizens of Alabama have voted against the expansion of gambling. Yet, the casino cartels are bringing in these "one arm bandits" against the will of the people. Also, the State of Alabama Citizens has voted against lotteries or any form of type of gambling.

Slot machines do not create wealth for the people of Alabama. Instead
they redistribute the wealth into a smaller concentration of people, while the
casinos get rich at the expense of our Citizens, communities, and towns. The
State of Alabama does not know how much it will cost to set up a commission, how much tax revenue it would generate nor has a feasibility study been done to determine the cost and benefits of a gambling operation in the State of Alabama. I do not support this form of gambling. I agree with Governor Bob Riley's stance on gambling and in order to maintain our exceptional quality of life and keep our State beautiful I can not support the fact these "one arm bandits" are essentially bingo machines.

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