Riley says no to Ala. bingo referendum

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Gov. Bob Riley said he opposes a simple statewide referendum on whether to allow electronic bingo gambling because it could open the door to widespread gambling with only a majority vote of the Legislature.

He said a statewide referendum must include specifics on what the Legislature can and can't do if Alabamians say yes to more gambling. Otherwise, he said the Legislature could approve anything it wanted by a simple majority vote instead of the three-fifths vote now required for changes in gambling laws.

Riley discussed gambling Tuesday after attending a tourism promotion in Montgomery.