The bipartisan Alabama Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee voted against a bill by state Senator Paul Sanford that would have let voters determine if Alabama should join Powerball, Mega Millions and other multistate lotteries. Sanford said a lottery, not taxes, could provide up to million annually to help fill the state’s 0 million budget gap.
Alabama voters would have to hold a statewide referendum on a lottery because gambling is banned in the 1901 Alabama Constitution.
In a September 9 letter, Governor Robert Bentley asked the Alabama Supreme Court if changing the Alabama Constitution to allow a lottery would “result in removal of the existing general ban on gambling or gaming activities in the state and thus result in legalizing class III or other casino style gaming in the state, with or without further legislative act?”
Bentley said recently, “I’m not really in favor of casino-style gambling. But I have always believed people have a right to vote on any issue and the lottery is probably by far the most popular.”
Committee Democrats opposed Sanford’s proposal on the grounds that a state-run lottery would generate up to $150 million annually, whereas joining with other states for a Power Ball lottery would generate $40-$50 million a year. In addition, some senators want the state to authorize both a lottery and casinos. State Senator Bobby Singleton said, “I want to be able to vote on a package that’s going to bring jobs, opportunities.”
Sanford said he saw the “handwriting” that his bill would die in the session. “The challenge for those people who want full-blown gaming, is it’s easier to sell gaming if you tie it to a vote of a lottery. I have just a lottery vote and that makes it harder to get a gaming vote later,” he said.
Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh had urged the committee to effectively kill Sanford’s measure because he did not want to any gambling legislation included in the second special session focused on finding revenue for the fiscal year beginning October 1.
Earlier this year Marsh had offered legislation to legalize casino-style gambling at four locations around the state and create a state lottery, which would raise up to $500 million annually. Marsh said he will re-introduce the bill in the regular session next year.
