After years of debate, Alabama lawmakers have once again delayed legalizing gambling and creating a state lottery.
The proposed legislation included a state-run lottery, sports betting, electronic gambling at select sites, and a revenue-sharing deal with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. But it failed to make it through before a key legislative deadline.
Republican Senator Greg Albritton of Atmore commented:
“We’ve been struggling with this for 25-26 years already … I don’t see anything changing. One thing has been proven is that it doesn’t matter what the bill says, period. If the word ‘gaming’ or ‘gambling’ shows up on the page, it’s a ‘no’ vote.”
Senate leaders, together with the House Speaker, said there were simply more urgent issues to address, like health care plans for farmers, hemp regulation, and pharmacy benefit managers. With just 12 days left in the session, lawmakers said there wasn’t time to sort out a bill as complex as this one.
Despite strong public support of 80% in favor of a lottery and 64% for casinos, however, political and financial disagreements in the legislature keep stalling the issue.
