© none John F. Floyd

The Alabama Legislature convened on March 7; is it going to address legal gambling in the state, or continue to ignore the will of Alabamians?  

On what premise does the legislature ignore the anticipated income generated by legalized gambling? Is Gov. Kay Ivey’s Study Group on Gambling Policy report still active, or buried by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and certain state legislators? Will the Poarch Band continue to lobby for control over all gambling in the state of Alabama? 

These are some of the questions surrounding legalized gambling in Alabama. Ivey’s study group estimated the state would net up to $300 million a year from a lottery, $400 million from casinos and $10 million from sports betting. In addition, gambling could create up to 19,000 jobs.  

How can legislators ignore the group’s findings when the state requires additional funding for operations and especially for education. Most states would kill for an industry that has the promise of 19,000 jobs. 

The study group in 2020 released a poll of 500 randomly selected people about their views on legalized gambling. Of those polled, 67% favored legalized gambling and 25% opposed it; 71% favored a state lottery and 25% opposed it; 63% favored casinos and 32% were opposed; 62% supported casino-style table games and 35% were opposed. 

Those polled were also asked if they believed legalized gambling would improve things in Alabama or make them worse: 54% said better, 19% said worse and 19% said it would have no impact.  

The study group’s report included five options: 

• The legislature would do nothing. 
• The legislature would criminalize all forms of gambling and enact penalties. 
• Establish a state lottery, but prohibit all other gambling, which the report states would “generate revenue for beneficiaries, and would provide an enforcement mechanism for other illegal forms of gambling.” 
• The legislature could also choose to allow limited gambling through a constitutional amendment voted on by the public.
• Alabama could choose to approve various gambling activities while prohibiting others. Any combination of lottery, casino-style gaming, pari-mutuel wagering and sports betting could be allowed, while others could be restricted. 

The report further stated, “As another limited gambling consideration, the state could permit some or all forms of these gambling activities, but limit the availability in terms of geographical locations — for instance, the 16 counties that have already approved local constitutional amendments to permit some form of gambling.” 

An AL.com news feature stated: “Alabama’s Constitution prohibits lotteries and most forms of gambling, so the legislature has to approve a constitutional amendment to make major changes, such as allowing a lottery or casinos. Voters have the last word. Alabama currently has three casinos with electronic bingo run by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians on tribal lands; bingo in 16 counties where voters approved constitutional amendments; and betting on dog and horse racing in Jefferson, Mobile, Macon and Greene counties.” 

The Poarch Indian consortium is lobbying hard to remain the primary source of gambling in Alabama, and I don’t blame them. The present gambling monopoly they hold in the state is extremely financially beneficial to the Poarch nation. 

The financial implications for the people of Alabama are very lucrative. The entry of gambling dollars into the state’s coffers could go a long way toward assuring an appropriate financial educational fund for Alabama’s children. 

Both the state and the Poarch Band have presented programs that would enhance Alabama’s financial position. How can a responsible legislature ignore the huge amount of income that would be generated by legalized gambling? 

John F. Floyd is a Gadsden native who graduated from Gadsden High School in 1954. He formerly was director of United Kingdom manufacturing, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., vice president of manufacturing and international operations, General Tire & Rubber Co., and director of manufacturing, Chrysler Corp. He can be reached at [email protected]. The opinions reflected are his own.   

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: John F. Floyd Commentary: Legalized gambling would mean more money, jobs in Alabama