By Chris Peeks
Though no official historical account exists of the first time someone said "Bet Me," I would be hazard to guess that gambling premiered alongside what is deemed "The World's Oldest Profession," prostitution. Which one came first does not matter. Since time began, people have made a career doing both.
While some type of gambling is legal in 48 states, prostitution, on the other hand, is outlawed everywhere except in ten counties in Nevada. Though honestly, I'm not sure why either is against the law. People should be allowed to spend their money how they choose, and let's be honest, people get paid to sell their bodies on camera. Why does filming make it legal for people to receive compensation for sex?
Shouldn't engaging in porn be just as illegal as prostitution? Or, in comparison, shouldn't a private poker game be a crime in a state that does not allow gambling? Exercise in logic. Phrases like "My Body My Choice" or "It's my money" are applied conveniently and contradict laws forbidding the acts mentioned above.
Although prostitution is illegal, Alabama remains one of two states that forbid gambling. I suppose because both are seen as immoral. But should we be legislating morality? I do not see gambling as sinful, and I don't care if people exchange money for sexual activity. One man's ceiling is another man's floor. Do you understand where I'm going with this?
My whole life, the legality or lack thereof concerning gambling has been a major hot-button issue. We have seen the pendulum swing both ways, with court rulings, lottery bills, and the emergence of bingo halls opening, then closed by State Troopers seizing slot machines only to have them later reopen. It's a never-ending vicious cycle, it seems.
Just a few days ago, Attorney General Steve Marshall raided White Hall Entertainment, closing down the bingo hall and seizing 600 "illegal slot machines," as he called them. Putting 200 people out of work in a county that suffers a 16% unemployment rate, couldn't he have at least waited until after Christmas?
I'm not condemning the AG for his actions. Marshall did the correct thing by enforcing the Supreme Court's September 2022 ruling that electronic bingo is illegal. Ordering the casino to close White Hall defied the court's decision. Leaving Marshall no choice, he had to uphold the law.
Nor am I chastising the Supreme Court on their interpretation of the law. However, I am fulminating against our most clairvoyant legislatures who, in their infinite wisdom, waste so much precious time in session on issues like banning students who
identify as transgender from competing in high school athletics against students of, well, the opposite gender and constitutional carry. Now, before the hair rises on the back of your neck, relax.
I find it reprehensible for men who claim their women to be allowed to compete in female sports just as much as the next person. I also fully support constitutional carry, but those items should have been passed within an hour. Boom, trucking right along. Next issue.
Our government does not see the big picture. While the rest of the nation continues to pass us by, our leaders focus on things that do nothing to improve our standard of living. Al.com reported on a study that predicted legalized sports betting would bring in ten million dollars of revenue to the state coffers yearly, yet we continue to cut off our noses to spite our faces.
I'm reminded of a funny story former Attorney General Troy King told me about when lawmakers banned sex toys. I mean, who in their right mind comes up with the idea of outlawing such products? Wow, if we make it illegal for someone to own a dildo, we will improve everyone's quality of life. But I digress.
Anyway, when I asked Troy about going after adult stores selling those items, he cut me off, saying, "I didn't go after them. Bill Pryor initiated it by trying to enforce a stupid law passed by the legislature, and It got dumped into my lap, and I had to follow through with it."
The sex toy ban is just as stupid as the casino ban. Exercise in logic: It is legal to bet on horse racing but not slot machines. Oh yeah, that makes perfect sense.
Marshall said the casinos "were a menace to public health, morals, safety, and welfare." Um ok. How do they damage your health? How do they put one's safety in danger? They have security everywhere. I never heard of anyone getting harmed at a casino as far as welfare goes wrong again. Many people's welfare is now damaged due to unemployment and the county's loss of tax revenue from White Hall's closure.
So that leaves leaves one thing: morals. Alabama lawmakers must focus on what matters instead of passing laws based on morality; approving that type of legislation does not get lawmakers to heaven any faster than the people they prevent from committing their so-called depravity.
I suppose in the final analysis, what I find amusing is the irony of it all. Our state government is routinely ranked as the most corrupt in the nation but dares pass judgment on gamblers because it's not Christian-like.
But it's a little deeper than morals. All one has to do is follow the money to see why gambling is illegal. So obviously, we need to take the PAC money out of the equation, let gambling issues no longer be decided on by courts and legislation, and instead allow the ones who should decide "We The People " at the ballot box. And one way or another, voted up or down, the voters will have the final say.
Chris Peeks
Reporter and Columnist
Alabama Political Contributor
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