Alabama voters may get the chance to decide on gambling in the state—assuming the issue passes the legislature. Measures in support of a lottery and casinos may be considered, although some political insiders are dubious of the prospects. One reason are primary elections lawmakers will face in the spring.
Republican Senator Greg Albritton of Range told the Associated Press he plans to introduce a proposed constitutional amendment that would include a state lottery, a deal with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and a yet-to-be-determined number of other gambling sites.
“This simply needs to get off our plate, off the table,” Albritton told the AP. “We need to deal with this and waiting another year is not going to help us. That would just be revenue thrown aside or thrown away,”
During this year’s regular session, the Alabama Senate approved a proposed constitutional amendment to allow a state lottery and nine casino sites in the state. The proposal fizzled out in the House. Some members of Republican leadership are doubtful about the outlook for any renewed gambling legislation. Lawmakers face primaries in May which brings both election concerns and time constraints in the 2022 session.
“I would be very surprised if it would pass in a regular session in an election year,” Republican House member Steve Clouse, chairman of the House general fund budget committee told the AP. “By the time we get toward the end of March first of April people are going to be antsy to get out of there.”
Gambling legislation in the past has failed under a mix of opposition from conservative lawmakers and turf wars over who would get lucrative casino licenses. Owners of dog tracks and other electronic bingo operations have argued the Poarch Creeks should not have a monopoly. The Senate-passed bill, in addition to authorizing casinos operated by the tribe, would have given existing dog tracks and electronic bingo operations an advantage in trying to win the other casino licenses. That could benefit businesses like Greenetrack and VictoryLand.
