Alabama lawmakers recently proposed a compromise on gambling legislation that would authorize a state lottery and multiple sites with electronic gambling machines. This proposal faces an uncertain outlook as lawmakers aim to put the issue to a statewide vote this August. The measure must be approved by three-fifths of lawmakers in both the Alabama House of Representatives and the Alabama Senate in order to make a change to the Alabama Constitution to allow gambling. If approved, it will go to a statewide vote on Aug. 20.
Lawmakers have expressed differing opinions on the likelihood of the bill passing. Conference committee member Republican Sen. Greg Albritton stated that the vote in the Senate could be close and the same may be true for the House. Additionally, Republican Rep. Chris Blackshear, the bill sponsor, explained that the proposal would allow for a state lottery and “electronic games of chance,” but not table games, at specific locations in seven counties. These locations include dog tracks in Macon, Jefferson, Greene, and Mobile counties, as well as locations in Lowndes and Houston counties. The legislation would also require the governor to negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
The proposed legislation has faced obstacles since March when senators scaled back a larger House-passed plan that would have allowed a lottery, sports betting, and up to 10 casinos with table games. Disagreements have arisen around the referendum date, the number of casinos, and whether sports betting should be included in the legislation. The House of Representatives is set to vote first on the proposal, with the Senate potentially taking it up later in the evening, pending the outcome in the House.
With the last public vote on gambling occurring 25 years ago, lawmakers hope that this proposal will go to a statewide vote this August. In 1999, voters rejected a lottery proposed by then-Gov. Don Siegelman. Now, legislators are working to get the current compromise on gambling legislation approved through the Alabama House of Representatives and the Alabama Senate in order to allow for a statewide vote later this year. The bill aims to authorize a state lottery, electronic gambling machines, and a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, while excluding sports betting from the proposal.
