The ambitious legislation package that was passed by the Alabama House of Representatives on Thursday has the potential to establish a state-regulated gambling business for the first time in history, provided it is approved by the Senate and state voters.
The House voted 70–32 in favor of HB 151, a constitutional amendment authorized by Rep. Chris Blackshear, R–Smiths Station, that restricted casino and sports betting in the state and created a state lottery.
Blackshear is also the sponsor of HB 152, which would establish tax rates on legal gambling as well as guidelines for revenue distribution and enforcement. It was approved 67–31.
GET YOUR INBOX DELIVERED WITH THE MORNING HEADLINES
SUBSCRIBE
Following the measures’ passing, Blackshear addressed reporters, saying, “Finally, at least from the House perspective, we heard you loud and clear from the polling, and we’re giving the citizens the right to decide what they want in the state as it relates to gaming.”
The legislation are headed to the Senate of Alabama. Should the upper chamber accept the constitutional modification, it would
The Senate is “prepared and ready to address gaming and lottery legislation passed by the House of Representatives,” according to a statement released by Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed, a Republican from Jasper, on Thursday.
Although local amendments have made electronic bingo permissible, the state constitution of Alabama forbids lotteries and gaming. Previous attempts to create a lottery and introduce casino-style gaming to the state have failed due to disagreements between the industry and conflicts within the House Republican Caucus.
The way HB 152 was voted on Thursday demonstrated the persistence of such divisions. With the backing of 38 Republicans and House Democrats who have long favored more gambling, the bill was approved. Thirty-one Republicans voted no.
Representative John Rogers, a Democrat from Birmingham, faulted the bill for what he described as a dearth of minority involvement in the companies.
Leave a Reply