Opinion: Alabama governor's gaming fight about corruption

Monday, April 5, 2010  

"In 2008, the Governor's Task Force on Illegal Gambling was established to ensure Alabama's law against slot machines was being applied evenly and fairly throughout the state. Since then, more than 100 illegal casinos have been closed, thousands of illegal slot machines have been shut down and the rule of law enforced, in many instances with the help of local law enforcement.

We have faithfully fought attempts by illegal casinos and their political allies to delay, disrupt and derail our efforts to enforce Alabama's gambling laws. Their deliberate attempts to muddy the legal waters and disgusting attacks on state police, Gov. Riley and even Alabama Supreme Court justices are desperate ploys to distract the public from their illegal activity.

Today, a few locations of lawlessness remain. In those areas, local officials who at first simply turned a blind eye to illegal activity are now enabling that activity, vowing violent resistance to hinder state law enforcement officers from doing their job. Any line that once may have distinguished public officials from casino interests has been dangerously blurred.

It is increasingly clear that the illegal gambling debate isn't about gambling anymore. It's about corruption. It's about making sure our system can't be manipulated and corrupted by a few powerful people bent on taking Alabama for all it's worth.

When casino operators who openly defy the law can be protected by the influence they wield with public officials, we have a serious problem in Alabama."

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