Alabama Advances Gaming Bill, Discards Sports Betting

Alabama’s lawmakers continue to advance the latest gambling bill, hoping to expand the state’s industry. However, sports betting will not cut it.

House Bill 151 seeks to expand gaming across the board, authorizing casino gambling and sports betting in the state. The measure also envisions the creation of a state lottery.

Under the proposal, Alabama would allow electronic games of chance at seven locations. The bill, however, would not permit operators to offer table games, Rep. Chris Blackshear, its principal sponsor, said. He elaborated that the bill would also require to government to negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

According to Blackshear, the measure no longer seeks to legalize sports betting, reflecting a compromise between lawmakers.

Despite boasting bipartisan support and passing the House with ease, the measure now faces uncertainty as it heads to the Senate. If the bill passes the Senate, it would go to a statewide vote, allowing the people of Alabama to decide its fate.

This would notably be the first public vote on gambling matters in 25 years. For context, the last vote was in 1999 when the people of Alabama rejected a lottery proposal. Subsequent gambling proposals have failed to gain enough traction to go to a vote.

As a result, Alabama has been lagging behind its neighboring states in terms of gambling legislation for over two decades.

The Bill Faces Uncertain Future

According to certain supporters of the bill, people in Alabama who wish to wager or play the lottery now have to drive to neighboring states. This effectively inconveniences players and deprives the state of additional tax revenue.  

However, certain opponents of the bill are concerned about the addition of Vegas-style gambling machines. While the measure would not permit table games, the electronic machines could easily allow players to play similar titles digitally, Rep. Arnold Mooney argued.

As things stand now, the measure’s future remains murky. Lawmakers have been more or less silent about their intentions and have kept their recent discussions private.