Bingo raids are on; VictoryLand and Country Crossing are closed
2010 February 5
The Alabama Supreme Court has lifted a restraining order that prevented Bob Riley’s anti-gambling task force from raiding the VictoryLand bingo casino. Earlier in the week VictoryLand shut down its casino operations for “upgrades to computers for the food and beverage service.” Now the entire VictoryLand operation – dog track, hotel, and all – has closed. Country Crossing remains closed and its former employees are filing for unemployment.
While I maintain that the failed raids on VictoryLand and Country Crossing last week were an embarrassing failure, it looks like the governor is getting he legal ducks in a row to make the raids happen.
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I was at Victorland for the first time on Jan.29 and had a blast. The machine were a lot of fun and the atmosphere was great. I felt safe and not threatned in any way. I think that Mr. McGregor has gone thorough a lot to be sure his patrons have a safe clean place for entertainment. I feel very sorry for thee wonderful people whom I came in contct with that went out of their way to provide customer service. Something that is hard to find these days.
I feel very soory for those who have lost their jobs in this economy. Somethign the nation does not need right now is more unemployed people. That is what is the cause of a lot of crime these day. TO MANY DESPERATE PEOPLE.
I hope the issue gets rectified in a positive manner and I can plan another weekend of safeety and fun.
Thank you
I think Bob Riley needs to remember the last seven years.He has just decided that gambling would be illegal because it would be in his best intrest to do so.I think Riley has put himself in a position that he can not get out of.I think people do irrational things when pushed into a corner.If Riley would admit just one thing about his decisions as governor,it might be that he left the state in a financial mess.Riley has choosen to spend 100s of thousands of dollars in closing bingo halls, while thousands of people draw unemployment because of him.Bob,just remember,thanks for the memories.Alabama-Riley=winner.
While I can think of almost nothing I ever agreed with Rep. Laura Hall on, in this case I feel she has it right, feel free to read her take on the insanity by our governor on those evil bingo machines. In this day of funding shortfalls and out of control unemployment I am glad to see he took down a tax paying enterprise, threw a couple of thousand people out of work and costs the state over $200K (best estimate I could find). Way to go Bob:
http://redeyesfrontpage.blogspot.com/2010/02/courts-and-ballot-box-are-solution-to.html
My position is that Riley may be trying to do the right thing, but is going about it in a very improper manner. IF (big if) the bingo operations in Shorter, Dothan, and elsewhere are illegal then they should be shut down. Period. But the first step in the process IMO should be getting a clear legal determination of what is and is not illegal and then acting accordingly.
I’m really conflicted about the jobs. Its hard enough for folks to find work now and Riley has put thousands in the unemployment line and those operations may ultimately be shown to be lawful. Again, if those operations are illegal, though, then it is unfortunate, but those folks are going to have to lose their jobs.
I’m all for letting the people vote, but I’d prefer we vote on a well crafted gambling amendment and not just any amendment. I think Therm raised good points in this comment. I think using a medallion based system where operators bid on them in an open process is a critical element. The bills I’ve seen in the legislature are designed to protect certain operators. I simply cannot bring myself to agree with that.