A gambling and lottery bill hopes to gather enough support to overcome the opposition
Alabama lawmakers revealed a comprehensive gambling bill on Wednesday that could permit a state lottery and several casinos across the South as some Republicans hope they can get voters to decide in November.
Alabama is one of five states without a lottery, and unlike neighboring Mississippi, the state doesn’t have retail casinos with slots and table games. The current proposal could deliver more than $800 million in annual tax revenue to the state.
If ratified by three-fifths of state legislators, the proposition would be put on the ballot for the next general election. “We believe that people deserve the right to vote on this issue,” stated Republican Rep. Andy Whitt, who led the group of lawmakers that drafted the bill.
Governor Kay Ivey also supports the gambling bill, which was one of several contentious measures introduced by lawmakers to start the legislative session.
Supporters of the bill say it could be up for a vote on the House floor as early as next week, depending on its support. Republican backers must whip up votes from within their party and gain the votes of a considerable number of Democrats.
“We’re trending in the right direction,” said Republican Rep. Chris Blackshear, who is sponsoring the bill to get the required 63 votes to pass the Republican-dominated House.
The constitutional amendment would permit a state lottery, sports betting and seven retail casinos. It would also empower the governor to negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, allowing them to offer casino games at their three locations.
Proceeds from the state lottery would help support education programs. At the same time, casino and sports betting revenue would be directed into the state’s general fund, where lawmakers would determine how to distribute it each year.
