Friend…
The Christian
community in the great state of Alabama
Has the
opportunity to take just such a stand for the right.
Brother Bob
Johnson minister at the Aldridge Grove congregation
And former Alabama state legislator informed us at the Preacher’s
Luncheon
at Double Springs, AL on Monday Jan. 24th of the
upcoming
Probable vote
on SB 310 in the upcoming special session in the
Alabama House of
Representatives in Montgomery,
AL
“Governor Ivey has stated most
recently that gambling is here so therefore we should bring
it out in the light
of day, give them everything they want, and tax it.”
- Matt Clark
Via Rewarding Bad Actors: Why
Alabama Should Not Cave
to the Gambling Lobby
Alabama Policy Institute
https://alabamapolicy.org/2021/04/08/rewarding-bad-actors-why-alabama-should-not-cave-to-the-gambling-lobby/
Bill Sponsor:
Del Marsh
Bill Summary:
Session
Regular Session 2021
Title
Gaming, legislative intent, definitions, provided, Alabama
Gaming Commission powers
and duties, further provided, advisory board created
to the commission, distribution of
funds to the Gaming Trust Fund
Description
This bill would implement the constitutional amendment
proposed in SB214 of the 2021
Regular Session providing further for the powers
and duties of the Alabama Gaming
Commission to supervise the conduct of the Alabama Education
Lottery, bingo,
charitable bingo and raffles, sports wagering, and casino-style
games in the state
This bill would create an advisory board to the
commission and would provide for the
personnel of the commission
This bill would also provide for the issuance and
renewal of licenses issued by the
commission to certain gaming facilities to
operate casino-style games and sports wagering
and would further provide for
the licensure process
This bill would further provide for the regulation of
charitable bingo and raffles,
sports wagering, and casino-style games in the
state
This bill would also provide for the distribution of
gaming proceeds deposited into the
Gaming Trust Fund
Bill Votes
2021-04-13
Chamber: Senate
Result: Passed
https://www.bamapolitics.com/alabama/bills/2021-alabama-legislative-regular-session/2021-alabama-senate-bills/sb310-alabama-2021-session/
House version of
comprehensive gaming bills include key variations from
Senate Offers
significant funding for 'health care services'
By Jeff Poor
May 4, 2021
According to sources familiar with the legislation,
the initial drafts of the legislation
and supporting documents appear to have
originated from Gov. Kay Ivey’s office.
Yellowhammer News has obtained
copies of the legislation and supporting documentation
being considered by
members of the Alabama House.
Highlights as
follows:
Lottery:
The Senate bills provide for an Alabama Education
Lottery Corporation established to
administer the lottery. In the Senate
version of the legislation, three members are appointed
by the governor, one by
the lieutenant governor, one by the president pro-tem of the
Alabama Senate,
one by the Speaker of the Alabama House and one by the state’s
attorney
general.
Under the House proposal, all seven members are appointed by the governor
“with the
advice and consent of the Senate.” The House version also establishes
the Revenue
Commissioner, Finance Director and State Treasurer as ex officio,
non-voting members.
Each member under the Senate bill would serve a five-year term. However,
under the
House version, the member “may be removed by the Governor for cause
for certain
delineated conduct.”
Under the Senate’s bill, a lottery retail advisory board is appointed by
members of the
Alabama
legislature. However, the House version of the bill eliminates the board.
Another significant difference between the House and
Senate proposals is the legal age
to be eligible to play the lottery in Alabama. Under the
Senate, retailers are prohibited
from selling to those under 21. Under the
House version, the age is 19.
Lottery proceeds under the Senate version are split evenly between the
education trust
fund (70% allocated for K-12 education and 30% for higher
education) and a post secondary
scholarship fund. The House bill shifts the
funds completely to scholarship with varying
ranges of eligibility for
recipients.
Gaming:
Similar to the Lottery Corporation, the Senate effort creates the Alabama
Gaming
Commission, which includes two appointments from the governor, one from
the House
Speaker, one from the House Minority Leader, one from the Senate
President Pro-Tem,
one from the Senate Minority Leader and one by the
lieutenant governor. However,
the House version allows for the appointment of
those seven members solely by the
governor, with input from leadership within
the Alabama
legislature, who would submit
nominees.
Under the Senate bill, a gaming advisory board is created with appointments
to the
board made by different members of the state government, ranging from
the governor
to the director of the Alabama Department of Tourism. However, in
the House bill,
there is no Alabama Gaming Commission Advisory Board.
Casino locations:
Under the Senate proposal, casino licenses would be offered for locations
that would
include Jefferson County, Macon County,
Mobile County,
Greene County,
Houston County
and a location in either Jackson or DeKalb Counties
and be bid upon
in a quasi-competitive process.
Sports wagering:
A 20% tax is levied on sports wagering proceeds in the Senate version. The House bill
ups that total to 23%.
Compact with the Poarch Band of Creek
Indians:
The Senate bill requires the governor to negotiate a compact for the
operation of casino
gaming on tribal land. However, the House version softens
the language to say the
governor “may negotiate.”
https://yellowhammernews.com/house-version-of-comprehensive-gaming-bills-include-key-variations-from-senate-offers-significant-funding-for-health-care-services/
"Through Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way."
(Psalm 119:104)
And why not say,
“Let us
do evil that good may come”?
— as we are slanderously reported and as
some affirm that we say. Their [a]condemnation is just.
(Romans 3:8)
“America
will never be able to reach its
Highest and best when virtues such as
Character, hard work, and productivity
Are replaced with vices that rely solely
On chance.”
- John Ashcroft
"It’s all about money. It’s all about personal
gain.
It’s all about covetousness, or greed, or wanting
Something for nothing or something for very little.”
We've got enough problems in this community
From gambling [and] folks that are addicted to
Gambling. Folks that use crime to pay off gambling
Debts and other things like that.”
- David Hamilton, Minister
Franklin KY Church of Christ
Bad men need nothing
more to compass their ends,
Than that good men
should look on and do nothing.
- John Stuart Mill
What Can We Do?
Pray…
…. “The effective, [b]fervent prayer of a righteous man avails
much.”
(James 5:16)
Contact Your Representative
Link to find your Elected Officials
https://cqrcengage.com/alabama/?3
Related Links for
further study…
https://alcap.com/current-issues/alcap/governor-ivey-issues-statement-regarding-the-study-group-on-gambling-policy-report/
https://governor.alabama.gov/assets/2020/12/FINAL-GSGGP-GAMBLING-REPORT.pdf
National Gambling Impact Study Commission
https://govinfo.library.unt.edu/ngisc/
CHAPTER 6. NATIVE AMERICAN
TRIBAL GAMBLING
https://govinfo.library.unt.edu/ngisc/reports/6.pdf
http://www.casinowatch.org/
GAMBLING: Is it worth
it?
Gambling
Increases Homelessness
Gambling Increases Bankruptcy
Gambling Increases Suicide
Gambling Increases Divorce
Gambling Increases Addiction
Gambling Increases Crime
http://www.casinowatchfoundation.org/resources/why_churches_cannot.html
This material was compiled by
Hayden Childs
(205) 269-1382