SB380 Alabama 2010 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Roger Bedford, Jr.
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2010
Title: Bingo, conduct and operation of authorized, State Gaming Commission, established to regulate and enforce, subject to Ethics Law and Open Meetings Act, levy of tax and license fees authorized, distrib. determined by Legislature, certain campaign contributions prohibited, Special Legislative Session for implementation, notice, const. amend. (2010-20730)
Summary: The bill would amend Alabama's Constitution to legalize and regulate bingo statewide, create a State Gaming Commission to oversee it, tax bingo operations, and dedicate the revenue to education, Medicaid, and counties while boosting tourism.
What This Bill Does
It would authorize federally recognized bingo at designated destinations within Alabama's seven congressional districts and create a State Gaming Commission to license and regulate bingo operations. It would impose taxes on bingo revenue (with proceeds split among the Education Trust Fund, the state General Fund for Medicaid and senior programs, and counties) and allow license fees set by general laws. It would define bingo and bingo technology, allow technology-assisted play, and require devices to be linked to verify winners. It would prohibit licensees from making campaign contributions to public officials who appoint the Commission. It would not repeal local charity bingo rules, but a Commission-licensed operator would not be bound by older local bingo provisions. Finally, it requires an extraordinary session in January 2011 to pass implementing laws.

Who It Affects
Bingo operators and applicants: must obtain licenses from the new State Gaming Commission, pay taxes and license fees, and are barred from making campaign contributions to appointing officials.
Counties: receive at least 5% of the bingo tax revenue and may benefit from proceeds distributed to counties.
Public schools in Alabama: receive funding through the Education Trust Fund from bingo taxes.
Medicaid and senior programs: receive funding from bingo taxes via the General Fund and related departments (Mental Health, Department on Aging, etc.).
Tourists and Alabama economy: potential tourism boost from bingo destinations.
State Gaming Commission and state government: new regulatory body with five members appointed by top officials; subject to Ethics Law and Open Meetings Act; has subpoena power and will regulate licenses.
Local governments with existing local bingo amendments: not repealed, but local operators licensed by the state would be subject to the state rules.

Key Provisions
Defines bingo and bingo technologic aid, including allowed electronic or video devices and linked systems to verify winners.
Creates the State Gaming Commission with five members appointed by the Governor, Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and Chief Justice; initial terms set and diversity requirements; cannot be elected officials; vacancy process.
Licenses bingo operators to conduct bingo using technology across locations; authority to license is given to the Commission and defined in general laws.
Imposes a tax on bingo revenue from games using technology aids; requires the tax to be distributed to the Education Trust Fund, the General Fund for Medicaid and senior programs, and counties; minimum tax level is 25% of bingo revenue, with at least 5% of the tax going to counties; license fees may be established.
Prohibits campaign contributions from bingo licensees or applicants to public officials who appoint State Gaming Commission members.
Authorizes an Extraordinary Session in January 2011 to pass implementing general laws, with no other topics permitted.
Local bingo amendments are not repealed; existing local bingo rules remain unless superseded by state licensing.
States that the Commission's powers, procedures, and operations will be detailed in general laws enacted after this amendment.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Constitutional Amendments