Hit The Road, Jack
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 25, 2001
Gambling has once again become an issue in Alabama, and this time, the government is saying no.
Last week, District Attorney for the Second Judicial Circuit John S. Andrews, visited two establishments in Greenville, giving them notice to remove the gambling devices within 14 days.
The Code of Alabama states, a gambling device is "a device that, as a result of the insertion of a coin or other object, operates, either completely or automatically or with the aid of some physical act by the player in such a manner that, depending upon the elements of chance, it may eject something of value. A device so constructed or readily adaptable or convertible to such use is no less a slot machine because it is not in working order or because some mechanical act of manipulation or repair is required to accomplish its adaptation, conversion or workability. Nor is it any less a slot machine because apart from its use or adaptability as such it may also sell or deliver something of value on a basis other than chance."
Well, this ain't Mississippi.
Alabamians just don't take too well to gambling in this state.
Recall the lottery issue that arose in the 2000 elections. The funds for the lottery were planned to go to education
something that Alabamians do care a lot about based on the reactions to proration
and went before the public as a vote. That didn't even pass.
Why these businesses thought that their enterprise was legal is beyond understanding. The law is simple
gambling is not allowed in Alabama.
Maybe these businesses can cross the state line into territory where the luck of the draw is legal.