Alpha Insurance's top agents all looked like they were having a great time as they strolled along the Las Vegas Strip, visited sights, rolled dice, and gambled all night. Too bad that didn't happen here.
Instead, just months after the company's top agents were enjoying themselves in Las Vegas, the company's grassroots political group, the Alabama Farmers Federation, announced the possibility of making similar benefits available in the company's home state. They are once again trying to block a gambling bill.
Alpha has made it clear that lawmakers will likely face major opposition and other obstacles if they support the comprehensive gaming bill they plan to introduce early in the session, according to a number of lawmakers who spoke with APR. .
It has always been a mystery to me why the Farmers' Federation takes such a firm stance against gambling. Especially now that we know that insurance companies have retreated to Las Vegas.
Just over a week ago, an Alpha spokesperson cited the grassroots organization's policies to explain its opposition to gambling.We oppose all forms of gambling, including casino games, state lotteries, sports betting, electronic gaming, and online gambling. ”
After I inquired this week about Alpha's retreat held last April in Las Vegas, where the main attraction was all of these forms of gambling, another statement said: “Alpha Insurance agents can earn incentive trips based on meeting sales production goals. Each venue competes for the opportunity to host these trips. Filming locations include locations within Alabama and beyond. Includes a variety of destinations. Locations are determined based on several factors, including cost, hotel accommodations, ease of travel, and dining and recreation options. The Las Vegas area is , which provided top agents with a variety of opportunities including Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam sightseeing, golf, outdoor adventures, musical performances, shopping and dining.”
Now, I'm not going to waste time poking holes in this statement. There's no reason to do that. You all know what was tried, and I don't blame the PR people. Guy was in a difficult situation and did the best he could. There isn't a PR speech in the world that would make you believe that Alpha chose Las Vegas for golf and shopping.
But really, all that matters is that they, like millions of others, chose Las Vegas. Thanks to the casinos, and all that those casino resorts have brought to the Strip. show. sporting event. shopping. golf. That restaurant.
That's the progress Alpha is trying to stop in this state.
No, of course I do not believe that the Las Vegas Strip, or even anything close to it, will ever be built in Alabama, no matter what kind of gaming laws are passed. But at least instead of putting 500 different illegal casinos behind Dave's Ship and Go truck stop, create a nice, classy resort that brings a variety of entertainment options and creates vacation destinations all over the state. It can be done.
And there will be tax revenue.
And these casino visitors can also try out some pretty great outdoor attractions, shopping, and restaurants.
The millions of people who travel around the state each year on their way to various beaches won't mind a stop at a nice casino resort. Or what about people going to ballgames in Auburn, Tuscaloosa, or Birmingham? Or through northeast Alabama on their way to the mountains?
Perhaps they booked a trip to Robert Trent Jones' golf course during their stay and are boosting their retirement savings. Maybe you're booking a fishing or hunting trip. Maybe they're visiting the Civil Rights Museum.
But here's the problem. No matter what, they'll be here. Or they stay here instead of going to other states. And Alabama is finally seeing the tax benefits from all this gambling that's already taking place, stopping the flow of money to gambling in other surrounding states.
What Alpha's Retreat should prove to everyone is that gambling has lost so much of its forbidden mystique that even organizations that are staunchly opposed to all forms of gambling It means that the retreat will be held at a certain location. Put aside these ridiculous, outdated stigmas, ignore the bogus outrage of people who are paid by out-of-state entities, pretend to be outraged, and ultimately consider rational, responsible gambling. Everyone should be informed that the time has come to pass the plan.
And it's time to stop pretending that gambling isn't happening all around us, including in this state, and pass laws that will finally allow Alabamians to reap the benefits of gaming. Masu.