DEVELOPING STORY: Alabama Senate blocks vote on electronic bingo bill
Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, March 3, 2010
By Staff
An electronic bingo bill fell short of the required votes for full debate Wednesday.
The bill, sponsored by Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, would have allowed Alabama residents to vote on a constitutional amendment to regulate and tax electronic bingo operations. The vote was 18-16, according to The Associated Press.
State Sen. Marc Keahey, D-Grove Hill, who had proposed his own electronic bingo bill and worked with Bedford on a compromise measure, voted for the bill.
Bedford told the AP he would not attempt to pass another bingo bill this session.
In a statement, Gov. Bob Riley, who opposes electronic bingo, said the bill would have loosened limits on gaming.