Alabama state Senator Del Marsh announced he’ll introduce a comprehensive gambling bill during the legislative session starting February 2. Eight months in the works, the bill addresses all forms of
gambling in the state, including casino gambling, Marsh said. “People in this state are already gambling, they are just leaving the state to do it in many cases. So, all I’m proposing is, if we’re going to have gambling going on, let’s reap some of the benefits from that, and let’s get something done that we really need to do as a state,” he noted.
The last time Alabamians voted on gambling was in 1999 when they rejected a constitutional amendment for a state lottery. According to Governor Kay Ivey’s Study Group on Gambling, gaming revenue could total $750 million or more annually. Marsh said he’d like some of that money directed to college scholarships, expanded rural broadband and more funding for rural hospitals.
Marsh said if gaming is approved, the state likely would enter into a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, which already operates three electronic bingo casinos in the state. As a sovereign nation, the tribe pays no state taxes. “We wouldn’t move forward if the governor wasn’t willing to sit down with the Poarch Creek Indians and deal with that matter. I’ve talked to the governor, and she’s willing to do that, at least sit at the table,” Marsh said.
Poarch Creek Chief Government Affairs Officer Robbie McGhee said the tribe is ready to enter into a compact that would deliver some casino revenue to the state. However, he said, “I believe you do not want to saturate the market within the state of Alabama. Any locations should be strategic. I think it’s going to create a lot of opportunity for a lot of individuals to increase the employment rate within the area.”
