The Alabama Senate recently took up state Senator Del Marsh’s bill that would allow casinos in five proposed locations. The casinos would offer slots, table games and sports betting and be located at four existing dog racetracks; the Poarch Band of Creek Indians would operate a fifth site in northern Alabama. The legislation also would address a gambling compact between the governor and the tribe to include its three electronic bingo casinos. In addition, it would authorize a statewide lottery; Alabama is one of five states without one.
The measure would require a three-fifths majority in each legislative chamber plus approval of a majority of voters in a statewide referendum.
According to the Legislative Services Agency, a state lottery would generate $194 million to $279 million a year for college scholarships. Casinos would produce $260 million to $393 million a year based on a tax of 20 percent on gaming revenue. Marsh has proposed using casino revenue to help expand broadband access and fund mental and rural health services.
Some legislators expressed concern that their districts were not one of the five casino locations included in the bill. State Senator Donnie Chesteen stated, “Southeast Alabama was left out, the Dothan area. I’ve had a lot of calls wanting to know why Dothan was left out.” Marsh responded, “You are not alone. I’ve had at least four others in this chamber come to me with the same situation.” He said he was considering adding up to two additional sites but noted voters may not approve such an extensive gambling bill.
Marsh said the new tribal location would be in Jackson or DeKalb counties. The other four sites are VictoryLand dog racetrack in Macon County; Greenetrack in Green County; and racecourses in Birmingham and Mobile, owned by the Poarch Band.
Some lawmakers said voters are more likely to support a lottery than casinos. “I’ve got to think about casinos a long time, but I think lottery would be an easy sale to the legislature and to the public. There is going to be debate on opening up Alabama to casinos,” Waggoner said.
Poarch Band Governmental Relations Manager Robbie McGhee said that tribal officials would be pleased with Marsh’s legislation if a few “minor changes” were made. He applauded Governor Kay Ivey for forming a study committee that looked into gambling in the state.
“I’m just happy Senator Marsh was able to do this,” McGhee said. “I appreciate the hard work he’s put into this over the years. I believe this is a good attempt. I think it is now something with the lottery included, the regulatory body included and now the limitation on the number of sites and also the compact with the tribe, I just think it’s a good deal. It was time to just come together and figure out what’s the best proposal that works for the state.”
