How ironic it is that Gov. Riley’s utter contempt and persecution of gambling, gaming, and/or games of chance for redemption doesn’t spill over to Alabama’s many sport fishing tournaments that are clear cut gambling!

Fishing tournaments are no different from poker tournaments, whereas the opponents must put up an entry fee or wager to play the game.

A game that pits each player against every other player in the field with the “chance” to “win” cash and prizes in excess of their entry fee. Players who do not fare as well lose their entry fee (money). If you are lucky you win, if not you lose.

Gov. Riley may be in need of new tap shoes when he gets done dancing around this issue with Alabama’s pro-gambling faction.

The splinters of hypocrisy are inevitable when you straddle the fence on such sensitive issues. There is no gray area. You are either gambling or you are not.

When an individual enters the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, Orange Beach’s Red Snapper World Championship or Orange Beach’s new Salt Water Series Tournament he or she is fundamentally betting their entry fee (money) that their luck and skill in the game is superior to their opponent’s, leading them to large payoffs in the form of cash and/or prizes.

Whether you win or lose in such events is chance, or should I say, “Just a roll of the dice.”  

April Hardee

Elberta