It’s Getting Hotter 

The slot machine debate in Alabama continues to rage on, while residents are no clearer to getting an idea of who is right. According to Governor Bob Riley, the state’s constitution states that slot machines are illegal. The definition that is put forth includes electronic bingo machines as they are very similar to slot machines. In fact they are considered Class II slot machines for gaming purposes. 

However, the state’s attorney general Troy King, says that sometimes a slot machine is not a slot machine. So far the courts have ruled with Riley in stating that the slot machines are illegal, but a recent court says that King should have the deciding vote as to whether or not someone gets prosecuted for having the illegal slot machines. 

Both politicians are Baptist ministers, yet they cannot seem to see eye to eye on this case. On March 8^th the courts gave King the ability to make the distinctions between slot machines and not. Some of the counties in the state have passed constitutional amendments allowing traditional bingo for charity – and Riley doesn’t have a problem with that. What he has an issue with is the counties that allow electronic bingo as it is expressly illegal in the state’s law books.  

It would appear that these counties are simply trying to break the law, and so far Riley’s task force has been quick to call them on it. Riley believes that if it is illegal in the state, then no one should be able to use them. The Alabama Supreme Court has already said that slot machines are illegal, and that should really be enough for everyone.