Last spring, Alabama pro-gambling forces suffered a setback when a gambling bill came up one vote short of passage in the State Senate. But there’s a good possibility it will be back when the 2025 legislative session opens in February.
State Sen. Pro-Tem Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman), during an interview on Talk 99.5’s “Dixon & Vining” show on December 31, did not predict whether a gambling bill would be introduced this session. But if it is, he says, it is likely to happen early in the session.
I'm going to be polling my colleagues in the Senate to make sure that they want to tackle this situation and this issue. And if they do, then we're going to make sure that we have the votes before we take it to the floor. I don't want any of my colleagues to take a bad vote when it gets there just because there's not enough votes. But if they do want to tackle this and get it behind them for once and for all, then I'm going to allow them to do that. If they don't, then as the leader I would not allow them to do that. So I think it's very crucial that if we're going to do it, we’ve got to do it early though.
However, State Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) is doubtful. He believes the Alabama House of Representatives will be reluctant to consider a gambling bill this session, and that the departure of State Sen. and Pro-Tem Greg Reed (R-Jasper) means the chances of passage in the Alabama Senate may be weaker than before.
Be sure of this: The gambling industry has a lot to gain from legalized gambling in Alabama, and if they believe they have the votes to pass a bill, they will definitely introduce one. Those who believe gambling is unbiblical, immoral, dangerous and stupid must be ready for another battle. Lack of preparation is a sure strategy for defeat.
Last spring, while the Alabama Legislature wrestled with gambling bills, this writer authored one column for the “Alabama Gazette” on gambling (“Legalized Gambling: Have We Forgotten Phenix City?”), as well as the following five columns on gambling for “1819 News”:
“Gambling’s connection to the dark side of American history”
“Maybe we don’t have to gamble, but we do have to live with the results”
“When it comes to gambling and crime, do we really think Alabama will be different?”
“The Scriptures don’t say anything about gambling – but do they?”
In these columns, I addressed the arguments for legalized gambling and presented solid evidence and arguments to refute them. I’ve received many comments, but not once has anyone attempted to refute my arguments or dispute my evidence. I’m not going to rehash those arguments, but I encourage our readers and their legislators to read or reread those columns.
But I would like those legislators who represent low-income districts, most of whom have voted in the past for gambling bills, to consider: What are you doing to your constituents?
“I’m voting for casinos because that will bring jobs to my district,” many would say. Really? Gambling creates no new wealth; it only redistributes it. Every dollar spent on a lottery ticket is one less dollar spent at the grocery store. Every job (usually unskilled and low wage) created by a casino is one less job at the factory or supermarket. Gambling establishments are no long-term benefit to low-income districts.
And gambling preys on the poor:
A series of recent studies revealed that those in lower socioeconomic groups spend more on gambling than others do and are more likely to suffer from gambling addiction and other problems.
A 2013 study of 5,000 people in the United States concluded that “problem gambling was twice as likely in neighborhoods with the highest levels of concentrated poverty compared to neighborhoods with the lowest poverty levels.”
A 2020 survey synthesized findings of 27 studies, concluding, “The burden of gambling problems is felt more strongly among people who experience poverty,” and “gambling problems were associated with several poverty measures including employment/unemployment, housing instability, homelessness, low income, and neighborhood disadvantage.”
Furthermore, those who become problem gamblers commonly resort to crime to support their gambling addiction. This includes not only white-collar crimes such as theft and fraud but also other crimes like street robbery. And of course, low-income people and neighborhoods are the primary victims of gambling-related crimes.
Those who claim legalized gambling will increase revenue by taxing lottery and gambling winnings need to remember that the poor spend disproportionately on gambling. Therefore, a tax on gambling winnings taxes the poor at a disproportionate rate. Gambling taxes are among the most regressive, disproportionate, and unfair methods of taxation.
Legislators from low-income districts who support gambling, please consider: Are you representing your constituents, or misrepresenting them? Are you serving your people, or exploiting them? And why?
Colonel Eidsmoe serves as Professor of Constitutional Law for the Oak Brook College of Law & Government Policy (obcl.edu), Senior Counsel for the Foundation for Moral Law (morallaw.org), and Pastor of Woodland Presbyterian Church (trinitypca.org), Notasulga, AL. You may contact him for speaking engagements at eidsmoeja@juno.com.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819news.com.
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