Alabama could be adding more gambling options after state legislators introduced two bills looking to bring a lottery to the state as well as additional casinos, sports betting, and traditional bingo and raffles.
The state’s 1901 Constitution bars lotteries and gambling, but the legislative efforts seek to repeal those restrictions. Rep. Andy Whitt® is one of those legislators backing the plans and believes the efforts can help bring in revenue to the state while also bringing some of the state’s gamblers into a more regulated market.
“Despite what a few out-of-state funded groups will tell you, the only goal with this legislation is to offer Alabamians an opportunity to make an informed decision on the ballot and enable the state to put the bad actors out of business,” Whitt told the Alabama Political Reporter.
“I find it very ironic that many of the opponents to this gaming legislation, in fact, are the most pro Trump supporters in Alabama. If this is a moral issue, then did they forget he made much of his money in the gambling industry? Despite all of the member threats and hypocritical rhetoric, I believe the current bill is in a good position for House passage.”
Details On The Proposals
Previous efforts at gambling expansion in the state have failed in recent years, but legislators hope to gain some traction with the current bills. Alabama is one of only five states with no lottery and sports betting also is illegal.
Media reports say the bill would legalize casinos in areas that have or recently had electronic bingo gaming, including Macon, Greene, Houston , Lowndes, Mobile, and Birmingham counties.
The state does have three casinos owned and operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The tribe is included in the gaming bills, which call for authorizing the negotiation of a compact for the addition of a casino in northeast Alabama and to regulate the existing casinos.
The legislation allows up to seven casino licenses, each with a $5 million fee with an initial investment of $35 million. Construction would be expected to begin within a year of receiving a license.
Lawmakers also would create a state gaming commission “to police all gaming activities in this state and work to eradicate unlawful gaming and gaming-related activities.” Casino gambling would be taxed at 24% tax and sports wagering at 17%.
Alabama isn’t the only southern state recently considering gaming expansion. In October, gaming insiders met with Georgia legislators to discuss the issue.