Alabama state Senator Greg Albritton has introduced three sports betting bills, each coming at the issue in a unique way. He explained, “This is not a package of bills. These are three separate bills addressing it in different ways. We have the vehicle, if you will, to move this along. We have the votes in the House and Senate to pass these bills, alright? The problem is getting them through the process. That’s where we’ve fallen short in the House each and every time.”
Albritton added, “I’ve been told by House leadership, ‘Don’t bring it up. Don’t do it. We’re not going to deal with it this year.’ That’s a hurdle to overcome.”
Last year, the Alabama Senate passed a sports betting bill that also would have expanded the casino market and created a state lottery; Alabama is one of five states without a lottery. However, the legislative session ended before the House could act on it. Previously, other attempts to pass lottery legislation failed due to conservative opposition to gambling, battles over electronic gambling and how to distribute lottery revenue.
Meanwhile, Alabama gamblers wager through offshore sportsbooks and illegal local bookies, and travel to Mississippi, Tennessee and North Carolina where sports betting is legal. Albritton commented, “Gambling is already present, with all of its problems and ills and issues right now, but we have no control over it. It’s the Wild West out there. Alabama has to take control of this industry.”
Another solution has been presented by state Rep. John Rogers, sponsor of HB 405, which would allow mobile and retail sports wagering only in Jefferson County, Alabama’s most populous county. The bill calls for the creation of the Jefferson County Sports Wagering Commission which could issue up to seven 5-year sports wagering licenses with a fee of $100,000 per application, renewable for another $100,000. Adjusted gross revenue from sports wagering would be taxed at 10 percent. The measure would permit betting on professional and collegiate sports, including Alabama colleges and universities.
