Ala. Planning to Toughen Penalties for Illegal Gaming

While some states in the North East consider gaming expansion, and a handful of others work toward online gaming industries, Alabama looks to stiffen its penalties for those who run illegal gambling businesses.

A bill that is currently working its way through the Alabama legislature would increase the severity of some gambling-related crimes from a misdemeanor to a felony.

The proposal would also allow law enforcement to seize property that is being used for illegal gambling operations.

According to North Jefferson News, the bill’s opponents include those who would like electronic bingo legalized.

The bill’s sponsor reportedly said that the current fines allowed under law are negligible compared to the revenue generated by existing gambling houses.

According to the American Gaming Association, Alabama doesn’t have any commercial gaming. However, the state does authorize tribal casinos.

Utah, one of only two states in the country without legalized gambling of any kind, last month passed a law that criminalizes and bans web poker.

While Alabama and Utah take steps back from the gaming world, Nevada is rapidly moving toward the industry’s next frontier — wagering on the Internet. This summer, regulators in the Silver State will likely license companies to run intrastate online poker.

Follow Brian Pempus on Twitter — @brianpempus

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