Anyone who though the gambling issue was going away in Alabama anytime soon had better reconsider that position. On Friday, the latest chapter in the gambling saga in the state was written when eleven people pleaded not guilty to federal charges.

The eleven people, many of which are high profile lawmakers or community leaders in Alabama, were charged after a federal indictment was unsealed alleging that the accused took part in a buy and sell vote scheme to push through a gambling bill in the Senate.

The owners of two of the biggest gambling establishments in the state were arrested as part of the indictment. Milton McGregor, owner of VictoryLand, and Ronnie Gilley, developer of Country Crossings, were joined by three lobbyists, four state senators, and two others in court today.

A twelfth defendant in the case has pleaded guilty to being a part of the operation that offered a state senator $2 million for his vote on the gambling bill. The other eleven are maintaining that they did nothing illegal, something that will likely now be determined by a jury.

The gambling bill in question was originally called "corrupt" by Alabama Governor Robert Riley. The legislation would have allowed voters in Alabama the opportunity to decide whether or not to regulate electronic bingo machines in the state. The vote would have threatened Governor Riley's Task Force on Illegal Gambling.

For the final couple of years of Riley's run as governor, the gambling issue has become the most visible and controversial issue in the state. The issue has become so large, that gubernatorial candidates Ron Sparks and Robert Bentley have debated the issue heavily. Sparks is in favor of gambling and has been vocal in his approach to the issue, while Bentley has been more low key on his stance, leaving room for wavering at a later time.

October 15, 2010
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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The gambling problem will have more influence on voters this fall in Alabama than might be a problem in recent history. If voters to the polls to choose a new Governor, will they have to weigh many different aspects of the gambling problem.

The most recent allegations come courtesy of democratic candidate Ron Sparks.The Democratic candidate has accused Republican candidate Robert Bentley campaign contributions gaming interests. Bentley has denied the allegations.

Sparks has admitted to the campaign funds for political action groups that gambling interests have donated to accept, but the problem is not so bad for Sparks. The Democratic candidate has been vocal about his support for the regulation of the gaming industry in Alabama.

In the past few years, gambling has come to the forefront of Alabama politics.Governor Robert Riley has many Alabamians irritated by his creation of the task force for illegal gambling. Are hard coated attitude to the Task Force and how it is experienced, could cost Bentley votes in the election.

Attorney General Troy King tried to get control of the Task Force, but he failed after the Supreme Court that Riley had the authority to make the power of anti-gambling. Lawmakers then pushed a Bill in the Senate that would give voters the right to choose the outcome of the gambling problem.

This Bill, however, turned into a disaster, with Governor Riley called it "tainted."Several of the lawmakers who are involved in that Bill were earlier this month, along with the owners of two well-known Alabama gaming establishments arrested. They were accused of crimes relating to buying and selling votes to pass the proposal.

14 October 2010
Posted by Terry Goodwin
Staff editor, casinogamblingweb.com
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Anyone who has a gambling problem went away in Alabama at any time soon had better to review their position. On Friday, was the last chapter in the gambling saga in the State written when eleven people not pleaded guilty to federal charges.

The eleven people, including many high profile legislators or community leaders in Alabama, were charged after a federal indictment claim was that the defendant has taken part in a buy and sell from voting scheme by a gambling bill in the Senate.

The owners of two of the biggest gaming establishments in the State were arrested as part of the indictment. Milton McGregor, owner of VictoryLand, and Ronnie Gilley, developer of land Crossings, were joined by three lobbyists, four state senators and two others in Court today.

A twelfth defendant in the case has pleaded guilty to a part of the operation that a senator $ 2 million for his voice about the Gambling Bill offered.The other eleven maintained that they did nothing illegal, something that will probably now be determined by a jury.

The Gambling Bill in question was originally called "damaged" by Alabama Gov. Bob Riley.The legislation would have allowed in Alabama voters the opportunity to decide whether or not to regulate electronic bingo machines in the State. the vote would have threatened Governor Riley's task force for illegal gambling.

The gambling problem is for the last couple of years as Governor of Riley's run, the most visible and controversial issue in the potentates. the problem is so great that Governor candidates Ron Sparks and Robert Bentley have become heavily debated. Sparks is in favor of the gambling and vocal in his approach to the issue, although Bentley is more low key on his attitude, room for hesitation at a later time.

15 October 2010
Posted by Terry Goodwin
Staff editor, casinogamblingweb.com
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View the original article here