January 3rd, 2011 – by Glen Farmer
With 2011 ringing in changes in the state’s government, proponents to gambling are becoming optimistic that some of the casinos in the state could reopen. A new governor and attorney general will take office, causing some changes in how gambling will be handled in the state of Alabama.
Governor-elect Robert Bentley had run his race for office based on a relative opposition to gambling. When he finally won the race, it was said that he would remain open minded about the state’s bingo halls, rather than injudiciously closing them down. With this intent, governor-elect Bentley has given control of the Task Force on Illegal Gambling to the Attorney General-elect, Luther Strange.
The pair made it a point to emphasize that, just because the Task Force control changed hands, gambling providers do not have carte blanche to reopen and offer all of their services – authorities will be monitoring the situation.
With Strange taking over the task force, casinos are seeing a new light in their future. The hope is that they will be able to work with authorities to determine what is legal and what is not.
While laws are not changing to accommodate the casinos, it is likely that some form of framework that documents what is considered legal and what is not will be given in order to facilitate the opening or closing of the casinos.
One casino has already been working on reopening, and that is Country Crossing. Having announced on their webpage that they are “Reopening 2011,” Country Crossing is looking to begin a hiring process of several employees.