Alabama casino developer Ronnie Gilley pled guilty Friday to 11 counts of conspiracy, money laundering and bribery, the plea deal in a corruption scandal that led to the indictment of four state. The Alabama Constitution prohibits lotteries and other forms of gambling, but lawmakers propose amendments every year that would allow voters to decide whether to authorize a lottery.
Alabama
If gambling is causing a problem in your life we encourage you to ask questions, gather information and conduct research on the type of help that is most appropriate for your situation. This information is intended to be a starting point—it is not a complete list of information or services.
FIND HELP IN YOUR STATE NOW, including counseling, treatment, self-help and support groups:
National Problem Gambling Helpline
Call: 1-800-522-4700
Text: 1-800-522-4700
Chat: ncpgambling.org/chat
and
Alabama Council on Compulsive Gambling, Inc.
4210 Lomac Street
Montgomery, AL 36106
Tel: 334.277.5100
Fax: 334.277.8381
Email: rogerolsen2016@hushmail.com
Website: www.alccg.org
OTHER STATE RESOURCES
• Alabama Department of Public Health is responsible for general health and/or addiction services in this state, and may also have information on problem gambling.
• For the fact sheet on gambling and problem gambling in Alabama, click here.
Self Help Resources
• Gamblers Anonymous (www.gamblersanonymous.org)
Is fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem.
• Gam-Anon (www.gam-anon.org)
Is a self-help organization for the spouse, family or close friends of compulsive gamblers.
•GamTalk (gamtalk.org)
Is a 24/7 moderated online peer support forum.
SCREENING TOOLS
Please visit our Screening Tools page to access three problem gambling assessment tools. It is important to note that these screens are not a diagnosis and DO NOT replace a face-to-face evaluation with a trained clinical professional.
• The Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS). A 3-item survey designed to help people decide on their own whether to seek a formal evaluation of their gambling behavior.
• DSM-5 Addictive Gambling Criteria. The American Psychiatric Association guidelines used for the medical diagnosis of addictive gambling.
• NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Problems. This simple self test will help you to evaluate your gambling behavior. Just answer 10 questions adapted from the DSM IV criteria.
OTHER TREATMENT RESOURCES
• Certified Gambling Counselor Directory
• Treatment Facility List
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
In addition to the resources listed above, there are many additional resources for problem gamblers throughout the National Council on Problem Gambling site.
• Resources page pulls together information and links about our State Affiliates, U.S. and international resources, awareness promotion, state problem gambling services, financial issues, and much more.
• Celebrate & Inspire – In order to get beyond the statistics and provide a more personal and individual picture of this issue, this section features the stories of individuals who have been affected by problem gambling, including problem gamblers and their family members, friends, colleagues and employers; treatment providers; advocates; and any others.
Progressing lawsuits
The Alabama Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the courts in two rural counties were incorrect for dismissing lawsuits filed by the state aimed at having three casinos declared public nuisances.
As a result of the Supreme Court decision, the state can proceed with its cases against VictoryLand in Macon County and the cases against Southern Star Entertainment and White Hall Entertainment in Lowndes County.
have flagrantly violated Alabama's laws.'
Attorney General Steve Marshall and his office are looking for injunctions to permanently shut down the three casinos. In a statement, Marshall said 'For too long, these individuals, businesses, and even elected officials have flagrantly violated Alabama's laws.'
A VictoryLand attorney commented on the Supreme Court decision, noting that while the state will have a chance to prove its case, the casino will not be making any immediate changes to its operations.
Defendants' arguments
The defendants were calling for the suits to be dismissed, saying that the state courts did not possess the power needed to hear them. The defendants also claimed that the state's shutdown attempts were wrong because the Poarch Band of Creek Indians-operated Wind Creek casinos were not included among the lawsuits.
County judges ruled in favor of the casinos last year, dismissing the lawsuits in Macon County and Lowndes County.
However, the Supreme Court rejected the idea that the tribe should be included and deemed the local circuit courts as having sufficient power to hear the cases.
Basis for shutdown attempts
The state has been persistent in trying to shut down gambling halls that have electronic bingo games. The lawsuits against the three casinos were originally filed in 2017, calling on the courts to declare these casinos public nuisances as a result of their promotion of illegal gambling.
slot machines do not adhere to the same legal definition as bingo
Alabama Gambling News
Certain counties have approved constitutional amendments for bingo, leading to the electronic bingo casinos. The state, however, considers these bingo machines to operate and look like slot machines; slot machines do not adhere to the same legal definition as bingo.
Alabama Casino News
Alabama is traditionally a very conservative state when it comes to gambling. It is one of only a handful of states that does not currently have a state lottery.
