Alabama helping unemployed casino workers

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Gov. Bob Riley says the state will provide assistance to laid off casino workers even though he considers the casinos illegal.

Riley says the state Department of Industrial Relations will have special locations Tuesday and Wednesday in Macon, Houston and Dallas counties to help workers laid off from VictoryLand, Country Crossing, and White Hall Entertainment Center.

State Industrial Relations Director Tom Surtees says his staff will be on hand to help workers file for unemployment compensation and to determine if they are eligible for other benefits.

The locations are the Tuskegee Armory, the Center for Economic and Workforce Development at Wallace Community College in Dothan, and the Alabama State Trooper Training Facility in Selma.