Greyhound park is parimutuel betting

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Hundreds of people spent their afternoon betting on dogs at the Mobile Greyhound Park hoping to strike it rich. Considering the flack over gambling in Alabama, how is this different than playing the slots?

David Johnston once won $11,000, all because he guessed which dog would be the fastest.

"I just love to gamble ever so often. I would love to see bingo come to Alabama; my wife could play then," said Johnston.

So, why is it that you can bet on a dog at the Mobile Greyhound Park, but slot machines are illegal?

Eddie Menton, with the Mobile County Racing Commission said: not so fast. This isn't gambling. It's parimutuel betting.

"When you're doing parimutuel wagering. You're betting against each other. The house has no stake. When you go into the casino, the house has the advantage and they say it's for entertainment purposes," said Menton.

Menton said betting on dogs actually started in France in a vegetable garden.

"They had these dogs that would run the rabbits out of the gardens and you know how that works. Someone would say my dog is the fastest and they would start wagering," added Menton.

Alabama lawmakers made it legal in 1971. Legislation was passed that let voters decide if they wanted dog racing in Mobile County. The people said yes, and the Mobile County Racing Commission was formed to license and regulate.

Maurice Casey Downing is credited with pushing the dog track legislation. That's why you hear, "Here comes Casey", at the start of the races at Mobile's Greyhound Park.

"Our rules and regulations have weight of law because legislature left it to racing commission to make the rules," added Menton.

Johnston hopes lawmakers do the same with bingo.

"Let the people decide if they want bingo," said Johnston.