More Votes Needed for Alabama’s Gambling Legislation

Voters in Alabama have not been allowed to decide if they would like to have a lottery in the state since 1999.

Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, is trying to change things by handling the legislation that would enable them to have their say when it comes to the authorization of a lottery, as well as casinos, and legal sports betting. 

For the time being, however, his plan is hit with a lack of sufficient votes to pass. The Republican caucus, which currently holds 27 of the Senate’s 35 seats, carried talks about the legislation earlier in the week.

Sen. Albritton Will Try to Change Senators’ Minds

Sen. Albritton explained that he will try to change the minds of some of the senators who voted against the constitutional amendment, in his struggle to reach the 21 votes that are necessary to see it pass. 

The number represents three-fifths of the Senate. The Senator believes a majority of the Senate is ready to support the plan but that the legislation is not expected to move this week. 

Next on the list is the Senate Tourism Committee, which will need to ponder on it. Since the legislative session can last up to 30 meeting days spread over as many as 15 weeks, time seems to be on the Senator’s side.

Despite the state being denied having a regulated market for gambling in the past, last week brought good news for supporters of the legislation when the House announced it passed the constitutional amendment HB151 by a 70-32 vote.

The House also decided to pass companion bill HB152 outlining a few of the details regarding the implementation of the constitutional amendment.

The Vote, Long Overdue

According to supporters of an upcoming gambling market in Alabama, the vote is long overdue.

The legislation would need to replace a series of gambling amendments with a more unified law, set up the Alabama Gaming Commission that would license and regulate casinos and sports betting venues, and feature a law enforcement arm used to crack down on illegal gambling. 

The same legislation would also set up a public corporation that would manage a state lottery with the potential for scratch-off and multi-state games.

According to estimates from the Legislative Services Agency, Alabama could be looking at up to about $900 million in yearly net revenue from casinos, lottery, and sports betting.

On the other hand, bill opponents argue the new legislation would trigger more gambling addictions while also expressing criticism regarding the way the legislation would choose the locations for up to seven new casinos in Birmingham, Mobile County, Macon County, Greene County, Lowndes County, and Houston County.

Added to the electronic bingo machines that resemble slot machines which are currently available at casinos in Atmore, Wetumpka, and Montgomery, this would raise the state’s total number of casinos to 10.