Alabama state Senator Greg Albritton recently said legislation allowing a lottery, casinos and sports betting does not have enough votes to advance. Albritton said 21 votes, or three-fifths of Senators, are required to pass a constitutional amendment.
The Republican caucus holds 27 of the 35 Senate seats; Albritton said most of them support the bill, which would move next to the Senate Tourism Committee. If it’s ultimately approved, the constitutional amendment would appear on the November ballot.
The bill previously passed the House in a 70-32 vote, surpassing the three-fifths requirement of 63 votes. The House also passed a companion bill detailing implementation specifics.
Supporters said a lottery, casinos and sports betting could generate $900 million in annual tax revenue, according to a Legislative Services Agency estimate. Also, it would codify a variety of gambling amendments into state law. In addition, the bill would establish the Alabama Gaming Commission to license and regulate casinos and sports betting and enforce gambling law.
The bill’s opponents said it would lead to more problem gambling. Also, they expressed concerns about the suggested casino sites. Six would be located in Birmingham, Mobile County, Macon County, Greene County, Lowndes County and Houston County. A seventh in northeast Alabama would be operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, providing the governor negotiates a compact with the tribe. It currently operates casinos in Atmore, Wetumpka and Montgomery.
The legislation also would create a public corporation to operate a state lottery, including multi-state games and scratch-off games. Lottery revenue would go toward education.
