Bingo audit in Greene County highlights the need for gambling regulation to be a key focus.

Alabama’s Gambled Oversight: A Closer Look

Alabama lawmakers have been given yet another reason to seriously consider better regulation and taxation. Greene County Sheriff Jonathan Bennison has apparently overseen around $5 million tied to electronic bingo proceeds—and he’s now being told he must pay it back.

Now, you might be wondering: why is a county sheriff managing millions in gambling earnings? Well, buckle up for a little background on how gambling became, well, a thing in Alabama.

Surprisingly, Alabama does allow some forms of gambling. Every year, when discussions about legalizing gambling surface, opponents often claim it can’t happen. Yet, bingo is permitted in 18 counties due to an amendment. In some areas, citizens specifically voted for electronic bingo, leading to the creation of electronic bingo casinos—despite assertions from the attorney general that it’s illegal. But that’s a complex story for another day.

The Bingo Amendment requires games to be run by charitable organizations, with tax revenue benefiting the county. This puts sheriffs in charge since, legally, they hold the highest position in their counties. They oversee the funds and ensure they’re distributed correctly.

Most sheriffs are doing their jobs well, though Bennison has had his share of trouble, which I’ve noted in past writings. According to the audit, he made over $3 million in payments to various county employees with vague or no documentation. Additionally, around $2 million in Bingo account expenditures were also flagged—more than half of it went to consultants and legal fees, while the rest was spent at miscellaneous shops.

It’s a serious issue, and hopefully, the state recoups some of that missing money. However, two points deserve more scrutiny: many of these problems were already noted in audits from 2014 and 2018. Plus, this recent audit covers activities that took place between 2018 and 2024—some of which are actually dated back seven years.

If you’re curious about regulated gambling, look at Mississippi. There, casinos are legal and regulated, and their financial activities are monitored by the state gaming commission. Each casino has its own audit department and must submit detailed quarterly reports. They even have to promptly report certain transactions to comply with federal anti-money laundering laws. It’s quite a contrast.

And if you want more irony, consider the Porch Band of Creek Indians’ electronic bingo casinos, which operate under federal gaming guidelines in Alabama. Their regulations are strict, with routine audits and compliance with bank secrecy laws to combat illegal activities.

Both tribal and traditional casinos ensure game integrity and customer protection through regular testing and addressing complaints. But, there’s more. Alabama’s three dog tracks, which run historic horse racing games, operate under different regulations, involving background checks and financial controls.

Yet, despite the established practices in some venues, Alabama hasn’t officially legalized gambling and lacks a dedicated gambling commission to manage it all. Instead, everything falls under different agencies’ purview.

It’s absurd. Gambling is a lucrative business—one that necessitates oversight, regulation, and accountability. Yet, through our collective inaction, we perpetuate a system that benefits wrongdoers, harms customers, and sidesteps tax revenues needed to address these issues.