House panel delays on Alabama bingo bill

Published 12:00 am Friday, April 9, 2010

MONTGOMERY (AP) — A House committee has delayed voting on an electronic bingo bill because the sponsor says it needs more work.

The House Tourism and Travel Committee was set to vote Thursday on a Senate-passed bill to tax and regulate electronic bingo. But the House sponsor, Democrat Marcel Black, told the committee he is working with representatives on some possible changes and he needs the weekend to hammer those out. Black said the possible changes include adding a limit on the number of electronic bingo casinos in the state. The bill currently has no limit.

The governor’s policy director, Bryan Taylor, says he believes the sponsor delayed the bill because he’s short of votes in the House.

Four meeting days remain in this year’s legislative session.