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Alabama governor appoints gambling task force

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- As reported by the Montgomery Advertiser: "Gov. Bob Riley signed an executive order appointing a task force and a special prosecutor who will go after people operating electronic bingo machines throughout the state.

"The task force will be responsible for gathering information on existing casinos and bingo halls, and helping local prosecutors and law enforcement identify what it believes are illegal operations. Former Jefferson County District Attorney David Barber will head the task force as a special task force.

"...In recent weeks there has been a flurry of conversation about taxing gambling to fill gaps in the education budget, but Riley said it's a smoke screen for legalized gambling. Riley said the proposals are preposterous.

"'The law is very clear,' Riley said. 'But the law doesn't matter to the gambling interests and their allies. They use the excuse, 'Gambling is already here, so we might as well tax it.' I say it shouldn't be here at all. It is illegal. We shouldn't legalize it. We should get rid of illegal gambling for good wherever it exists in Alabama..."

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