After years of trying to bring a lottery, casinos and sports betting to Alabama, state Senator Del Marsh recently said he will not sponsor a gambling bill in the next legislative session.
In a radio interview, Marsh said, “I think the lottery issue is one that is popular with the people. I think it is one people want to address and have an ability to vote on it. I’ve seen the polling numbers on that. It’s heavy across the lines for the Democrats, Republicans, men, women. I’m a little surprised, quite honestly, that the bills the Senate has passed in the past have not reached the House for a vote. I don’t plan on bringing one next session.”
However, Marsh said the legislature could take up gambling anyway.
“It’s always possible. I haven’t heard of anything, but something could easily come up in the House or the Senate. It’s not out of the question,” he said.
In the past session, Marsh introduced a gambling bill that included allowing casinos at the state’s four dog racetracks, legalizing sports betting, authorizing a lottery and negotiating a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The bill passed a House committee but failed to make it to the full House floor.
