Alabama Governor Continues Anti-Gambling Crusade

Governor Bob Riley of Alabama says he owes no debt to Mississippi tribal gaming interests, but his actions against in-state gambling sure do meet their desires.

Governor Bob Riley may not uphold all his campaign promises, but he is steadfast in denying any gambling encroachment into the state of Alabama. Riley has fought with his state's attorney general, several judges, members of the legislature, and private business associations over gambling, and now he's at it with the head of the state Supreme Court.

A former assistant to Riley who is in prison in relation to the Jack Abramoff tribal gambling lobbying scandals was found to have assured Mississippi tribal casino interests that the future governor of Alabama would make sure there would be no competition there for them, during Riley's election campaign. Election laws have made it impossible to determine what amount of contributions those tribes made to Riley,

Riley accused state Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb of judge-shopping, as she moved a case involving electronic bingo from a retired judge to another on the basis that the second choice is already handling one such case. Riley says the change of judges allows gambling interests more time to operate, as the case will be queued up in the new courtroom.

Despite findings by state legal authorities that electronic bingo may be legal in certain counties, depending on county law, Riley has declared it illegal throughout the state, and formed a squad of special agents to investigate gaming anywhere in Alabama.

"I only wish all politicians took campaign promises as seriously as Bob Riley,' said Mobile resident Yvette Williams. "On the other hand, maybe they do, as long as the contribution is large enough."