If electronic bingo machines become legalized, then they could start making appearances in the most unlikely of places – including Country Music halls.
Country music stars Marty Suart, Darryl Worley and Tracey Lawrence were among those appearing in Huntsville earlier this week to show of the machines, which were developed by Ronnie Gilley. The stars did a ‘barnstorm’ tour of Alabama, asking citizens to support a proposal to legalize and tax bingo in their counties.
Gilley said “Our focus is entertainment. Bingo is our catalyst to get us there.”
The bill has been sponsored by Rep. Marcel Black, D-Tuscumbia, and Sen. Quinton Ross, D-Montgomery. Under the proposed legislation, a gaming commission would be established to regulate the bingo industry, and new taxes would be introduced. Electronic bingo games would be taxed at 10% of gross revenue for the first five years, and 20% after that.
Black and Ross believe that the games would bring in $200 million in taxation revenue for the state, which could be split between the education and Medicaid programs.
Gilley said that he hopes to build “three or four themed areas and an amphitheatre hopefully within the next year or so” but detailed plans for the developments have not been released as of yet.
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