Alabama Gov. Riley Tries to Fight Off Slot Machines
Alabama had some slot machine arguments recently. There was a court hearing that focused on more disagreements in terms of slots. This time the state Governor Bob Riley released a statement stating that US District Judge Lynnwood Smith’s ruling against electronic bingo games was “fair and just.” Riley confirmed that the machines in question were eligible to fall under the category of “slot machines.” The Judge stated that the machines “look and act like slot machines constitute illegal slot machines, no matter what they’re called.”
Riley went on to confirm the old adage “If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, then it’s a duck.” He continued to state that slot machine operators across the country need to be aware that the “name” of a game does not necessarily make it exempt from slot machine rulings. Governor Riley added, “no matter what you call them they are what they are.” Riley has been a firm supporter of ridding the state of the illegal slot machine operations many legislators believe it is under.
Riley’s words are not without criticism though. Casino developer of Country Crossing, Ronnie Gilley said that the governor was putting words in the judge’s mouth. Gilley stated that the decision was handled in a proficient way, but there is no confirmation that the Judge was referring to slot machine management throughout the country. In face Gilley stated that the “Governor was trying to make this ruling more than what it was because he was trying to get slot machines made illegal.”
Gilley is campaigning hard due to the current construction his company is working on. Although they believe that they don’t fall under the umbrella of this particular judgment, he does confirm that potential future projects may be threatened. He believes that for Governor Riley to characterize the ruling with his own beliefs is a “blow against electronic bingo machine industry” and citing the number of illegal slot machines in the state is a “misrepresentation of the facts.” Gilley and his company are preparing to resume the building of their new developments and bring in the bingo machines they originally planned for.
