The Alabama Track Owners Association wants to remove the state from the short list of U.S. states without a lottery or commercial casino, which includes Alaska, Hawaii and Utah.
The group, made up of owners of the state’s four greyhound racing tracks, is running TV ads encouraging voters to urge their state lawmakers to support a bill that would legalize a lottery and casinos. State Senator Greg Albritton said he will introduce a lottery and casino bill when the legislature convenes on January 11. Currently, the state allows Class II tribal casinos that offer electronic bingo.
The ads point out the lottery and casinos would equal “four automotive manufacturing plants,” referring to an automaker that received more than $700 million from the state in incentives and tax breaks. The lottery and casino, however, would generate more than $700 million annually and not require any taxpayer funding, the ad says.
Albritton said his bill will include authorizing a state-run lottery and allow the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the state’s only federally recognized tribe, to negotiate a Class III gaming compact. That would permit the tribe to install slots and tables at its casinos in Atmore, Montgomery, Wetumpka and Mobile, which currently offer electronic bingo.
The bill also would allow casino resorts at the four existing racetracks in Birmingham, Shorter, Eutaw and Mobile, and potentially at existing gaming locations near Dothan and in Lowndes County. The new casinos would create 10,000 to 15,000 permanent jobs, many located in economically depressed areas without major industries.
Albritton said, “This simply needs to get off our plate, off the table. We need to deal with this, and waiting another year is not going to help us. That would just be revenue thrown away.” He said gaming tax revenue would be directed to statewide mental health services.
The issue faces hurdles in an election year, including a May primary and November general election, said state Rep. Steve Clouse. He stated, “I would be very surprised if it would pass in a regular session in an election year.” Clouse said some lawmakers would hesitate to endorse gaming legislation since they’d likely face backlash from religious and conservative constituents.
Legalizing a lottery or commercial casinos would require a constitutional amendment, and that would take three-fifths approval in both the House and Senate. Then a voter referendum would require majority support.
Poarch Band Tribal Council Vice-Chair Robbie McGhee said, “This is the perfect opportunity to say, ‘I’m going to give the power to the people to make this decision.’”
