Discussion of video poker prompts questions about opposition funding in Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - A lawmaker pushing video gambling at the dog track in Macon County asked opponents if they are secretly getting money from out-of-state casino interests, but track owner Milton McGregor's profits are the real secret.

The House Marketing Committee delayed action on legislation that would allow voters in Macon and Greene counties to decide if video gambling games should be allowed at VictoryLand and GreeneTrack.

The sponsor, Rep. Johnny Ford, D-Tuskegee, requested the delay Tuesday following a public hearing, saying he wants to get some answers first about the opposition's money.

"You know that Alabama law makes it a crime to not be truthful to a legislative committee," Ford told Christian Coalition of Alabama President John Giles. "Has this coalition ever received any money from Mississippi gambling interests?"

Giles replied: "Absolutely not."

Ford said somebody is putting up money for anti-gambling commercials and organizing thousands of telephone calls to lawmakers.

"Are you saying to the people of Alabama, you have not met with or received any money from casino interests?" Ford said.

"The Christian Coalition is in full compliance with the Fair Campaign Practices Act," Giles told the lawmakers during the hearing.

Contract lobbyist Clark Richardson, who represents Mississippi gaming companies and opposes giving Alabama's dog tracks exclusive control if video poker machines are approved, said he was not aware of any casino money being provided to opponents.

The Rev. Dan Ireland, director of the anti-gambling Alabama Citizen Action Program, joined Giles in assuring Ford that his organization has not received any money from casino interests.

Supporters of Gov. Don Siegelman's proposed state lottery made similar claims about opposing, non-profit groups accepting money from out-of-state casino interests before the lottery was defeated in an Oct. 12 referendum.

While Ford is seeking information about the video gambling opponents' money, he said secrecy surrounding the profits of VictoryLand in Macon County, Greenetrack, and the tracks in Birmingham and Mobile "is not the issue."

Ford said he is focused on the right of his constituents to vote to keep the track open.

A lineup of Macon County officials told the lawmakers that the track is struggling financially and will close unless the games are allowed. They said the track previously had about 800 employees and now has about 300.

The track in Macon County supports schools and various programs.

Macon County Racing Commission President Charles Cliff Johnson said the VictoryLand handle - the amount wagered- was down 6 percent from 1998 to 1999.

The track has taken in more than $2 billion in wagers since it opened in 1984 and has paid out taxes totaling about $112 million, records show.

Johnson said the commission doesn't know anything about any change in the level of profits at the track owned by McGregor, who could not be reached by telephone for comment.

Ron Jones, the state's chief examiner, said his office audits payouts of the track handles and the payouts that go to public agencies. He said the law does not provide the public any insight about track profits.

A video poker bill sponsored by Sen. George Clay, D-Tuskegee, has cleared a Senate committee and is in line for possible floor debate.

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