By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – A proposed constitutional amendment to expand electronic bingo games to all four greyhound race tracks in Alabama has been introduced in the state House. The measure would tax the games with the money going to help pay for the cash-strapped Medicaid program. Supporters say the tax would bring in about $75 million a year. The bill was introduced Tuesday by Mobile Democrat Yvonne Kennedy. Electronic bingo games are currently legal at tracks in Macon and Greene Counties, and proceeds from those games go to charities. The proposed amendment would expand the games to tracks in Mobile and Birmingham. If passed by the Legislature, the amendment would still have to be approved by voters in a statewide referendum. Opponents say the bingo games at the tracks would lead to an expansion of gambling in Alabama.