Alabama Legislature Considers Bingo Bills

Gambling issues take center stage at the Legislature this week. The Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee and the House Tourism and Travel Committee have a joint meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday to consider constitutional amendments that would permit electronic bingo at 10 locations in the state.

Then at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee will consider a bill by Democratic Sen. Bobby Singleton that would block the governor from initiating criminal investigations.

An investigation by Gov. Bob Riley's Task Force on Illegal Gambling has prompted large electronic bingo casinos to close in Houston, Macon and Lowndes counties. About 15 smaller gambling halls in Jefferson County have also shut down.