HB235 Alabama 2010 Session

Under existing law, casino gaming is not allowed in this state

This bill would authorize casino gaming in cities with a population of more than 100,000. This bill would create the Alabama Gaming Control Board; provide for its membership, term of the members, powers, and duties; and require each member, employee, and agent of the board to file annually certain financial information with the board

This bill would require each person who desires to conduct a casino gambling operation to apply for a casino license and provide for the application procedure. This bill would allow the board to issue a supplier's license to those persons who sell, lease, or contract to sell or lease gaming equipment to any casino licensee. This bill would prohibit the board from licensing certain persons as suppliers. This bill would require each local labor organization that directly represents casino gaming employees to register annually with the board. This bill would allow the board to issue an occupational license to individuals who are employed in the gaming industry. The bill would allow the board to revoke each license issued by it. The bill would impose a wagering tax on the adjusted gross receipts of each casino licensee. This bill would create the State Casino Gaming Fund in the State General Fund and provide for the allocation of the proceeds deposited in the fund. This bill would create a special account in the Education Trust Fund and provide for the allocation of the proceeds deposited in the fund. The bill would allow each municipality where a casino is located to impose a service fee. This bill would provide that additional taxes could not be imposed exclusively on any casino licensee. This bill would require each casino licensee to transmit to the board and the city where the casino is located on a quarterly audit of its financial condition. This bill would require the board to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature and to conduct a study of minors and compulsive gamblers who sought entry into a casino. This bill would provide the procedure for the appointment of a conservator for a casino licensee whom license has been revoked or suspended. This bill would require the board to create a list of persons barred from visiting casinos

Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose

The purpose or effect of this bill would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of the amendment. However, the bill does not require approval of a local governmental entity or enactment by a 2/3 vote to become effective because it comes within one of the specified exceptions contained in the amendment

To authorize casino gaming in cities of more than 100,000; to provide for the licensing, regulation, and control of casino gaming operations, manufacturers and distributors of gaming devices and gaming related equipment and supplies, and persons who participate in gaming; to provide the distribution of revenue; to vest authority for the licensing, regulation, and control of casino gaming in the Alabama Gaming Control Board; to restrict certain political contributions; to establish a code of ethics for certain persons involved in gaming; to create certain funds; to impose and authorize certain taxes and fees; to impose penalties; to make an appropriation; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended.