"During the 2010 campaign season, gambling interests spent $5.6 million on candidates. They, and other big special interests, routinely give campaign money to gain access to and influence elected officials.

And maybe, gambling interests wanted the best government they can buy. If a federal indictment of 11 people including gambling operators Milton McGregor, Ronnie Gilley and four state senators proves true, some gambling interests gave money to buy votes on legislation favorable to them.

It should surprise no one that most of the money was funneled through PACs. Those PAC operators often "washed" the gambling money with nongambling money to clean away any trace (at least to the public) of the source of contributions. Then, they doled out the laundered money to executive, legislative and judicial campaigns. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians donated almost $2.8 million this campaign season; Milton McGregor's two tracks gave $1.9 million; Greenetrack almost $490,000 and Gilley personally and through his businesses $236,000, campaign disclosure forms show.

"It shows how much money they are making and are willing to share with those that are friendly to their cause," said William Stewart, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Alabama and a longtime observer of state politics."

Get the Story:
OUR VIEW: There's a reason gambling interests bet $5.6 million on political candidates this election cyle, and it's not good government (The Birmingham News 11/4)

Related Stories:
Poarch Creeks donated $2.8M to Alabama politicans in last year (11/1)