Gambling bill passes in Alabama House, goes to Senate
MONTGOMERY, Ala (WDHN) — Alabama is one step closer to having gaming legalized.
The first bill passed is a constitutional amendment that would go on the November ballot if the Senate also passes it. The legislation would legalize ten casinos, online sports betting, and a state lottery. One of those casinos would be in Houston County.
Lawmakers emphasized the importance of letting the people vote on it.
“To give the people of this state the opportunity to decide if they want to do that or not, that is almost the very essence of democracy,” said Rep. Jim Hill.
The constitutional amendment passed 70 to 32, with opponents saying it will fuel addiction and take from those with the least means.
“Gambling causes social problems in the state of Alabama.,” said Rep. Jim Carns.
The second bill spells out how the state will implement that amendment. It creates an Alabama gaming commission, a law enforcement division, and a process for casino licensing and sports betting. That bill passed 67 to 31.
Bill sponsors representatives Andy Whitt and Chris Blackshear say this is long overdue.
“What we saw today in the statehouse of Alabama was courage,” said Whitt.
“To think the last time the citizens got to vote in Alabama on any type of gaming in this state, we were all worried about what was going to happen at the stroke of midnight in the year 2000,” Blackshear said.
House speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter praised the bill sponsors and compared Alabama’s current situation with illegal gambling to alcohol during prohibition.
“Because it was so out of control and out of hand, they finally had to do something to legalize it so they could control it, and I think that’s where we’re at today,” Ledbetter said.
Proponents of the bill say the state is estimated to bring in about $1 billion in revenue annually. The bill would put lottery revenue toward education and casino and sports betting revenue toward other state needs like mental health.
The bills next head to a senate committee before a full Senate vote.
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