A new gambling bill will be submitted in Alabama when the legislative session begins next month
The difficult work put in by sports betting backers in Alabama for more than a year has resulted in the introduction of a gambling bill. State Representative Andy Whitt and other lawmakers plan to introduce a “wide-ranging” bill after the legislature assembles on February 6.
Media outlet Alabama Political Reporter stated last week that the new legislation will include sports betting, retail casinos and a state lottery. The unique bill was tenaciously organized by Whitt, whom the publication described as a “low-key, straight shooter” with no ties to gaming and “the perfect choice to take on Alabama’s gambling problems.”
Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter initiated the challenge for Whitt to compose impervious legislation more than a year ago, resulting in the impending first draft of a proposal “written 100 percent by legislators without any input from special interests,” according to Whitt.
State lawmakers are backing the bill among their numbers, including Ledbetter and top leaders in the Republican party, giving the proposal genuine momentum.
“I think we have a real chance to pass this one, because it will address every issue that people have brought up over the last several years,” said Whitt. His year of investigations included visits to legal tribal gaming facilities along with various illegal gaming operations.
While gambling backers are optimistic, resistance remains, with the most prominent opponent being the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA). ALFA officials contacted at least ten legislators over a week’s period, according to APR. One lawmaker said that the ALFA member made it apparent that “they were going to make my next election pretty difficult” if he voted to support Whitt’s bill.
The challenge accepted by Whitt has also received threats connected to out-of-state groups, including: “Some very personal things from people and a very unpleasant conversation.”
