Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has disbanded the Alabama Advisory Council on Gaming, established in 2016 by then-Governor Robert Bentley to study gambling’s impact on state revenue. The reason given was that the 11-member council has not met in more than four months. However, according to one source, “It was my understanding that it died when Ivey came in. The work was done, all that was left was writing the report. And the report wasn’t far from being completed.”
Bentley named Alabama Finance Director Clinton Carter to lead the group. The governor had asked members to create a list of facts lawmakers could consult to consider the future of gambling in Alabama. Carter’s comprehensive report was not meant to recommend any particular course of action for the state; it simply listed the pros and cons of various types of gambling and their impact on state revenue and other factors.
The board was made up of both pro- and anti-gaming lawmakers. They heard several presentations from a variety of experts such as casino owners, law enforcement and lottery directors from Louisiana and Connecticut and representatives of groups opposed to gambling.
Another source said, “For example, if we just did a lottery, here’s what it would mean for revenues, the laws that could change, the effect on several entities, etc. There were too many different opinions on gaming for the committee to reach a conclusion that everyone agreed on.” But another person said the group did agree on allowing Alabama citizens to vote on gambling. “The only discussion on the committee was about making sure we gave voters clear and complete information,” he said.
