Bill would let voters decide on bingo

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A proposed constitutional amendment has been introduced in the Alabama House that would let Alabama voters decide if they want to legalize electronic bingo games at certain locations in the state.

The amendment by Democratic Rep. Marcel Black of Tuscumbia would call for Alabama voters to decide in the general election vote Nov. 2 if they want to allow electronic bingo at some locations, tax it and regulate it.

The bill would allow the electronic bingo at greyhound dog tracks in Mobile, Greene, Macon and Jefferson counties. It would also allow the games at the Country Crossing facility in Dothan, at the White Hall gamining center in Lowndes County, at a second undertermined location in Birmingham and at undecided locations in the 4th and 5th Congressional districts.

Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom Jr. says that another bill needs to be passed in the midst of the bingo wars happening across the state.

Gov. Folsom says the Legislature needs to pass a bill defining what is bingo and what is not.

Folsom said Thursday he's not supporting any particular bill, but the Legislature needs to provide clarity that will bring an end to an issue that is consuming lots of Alabama's time and state resources.

Folsom spoke out as lawyers fight in court over the legality of gambling machines that casino operators call legal electronic bingo and that the governor calls illegal slot machines. Three large casinos have closed in the last week.