New governor of Alabama calls for statewide gaming referendum

Tuesday, January 18, 2011  

New Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley (R) took office on Monday and one of his first actions was to start dismantling a controversial anti-gaming group that his predecessor started.

Bentley will let new attorney general Luther Strange determine how to enforce state gaming laws. And he wants voters to decide what types of gaming are legal in the state -- although he said a proposed referendum probably won't happen this year.

"I believe the people of Alabama need to decide at the ballot box on a yes or no vote whether to allow gambling or abolish all forms of gambling," Bentley said during his campaign, the Associated Press reported.

Former governor Bob Riley (R) used his Task Force on Illegal Gambling to shut down non-Indian facilities for operating electronic gaming machines. He also threatened to go after the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the only federally recognized tribe in the state.

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New governor says no gambling vote soon (AP 1/17)