Alabama Casino gaming bill dead

The most recent attempt to expand gambling in Alabama has met the same fate as previous attempts. Dead on arrival.

Senator Greg Albritton proposed a gambling-expansion plan that would have brought sweeping changes to the state. They would have included:

• establishing a state lottery
• allowing electronic casino games at existing racetracks and bingo halls
• online sports betting
• the repeal of 17 local anti-gambling regulations
• the creation of an Alabama Gaming Commission
• Compact negotiations with Poarch Band of Creek Indians to allow up to four commercial casinos
• A 24% tax on gambling revenue

That would be quite a substantial change for Alabama which has historically been excessively anti-gambling and remains as one of only five states without a lottery. After the proposal was shared by Senator Albritton it died almost immediately as Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger had already announced that gaming bills would not proceed in the Senate chamber and Albritton’s bill would not be officially introduced.

This was not the first time Albritton has introduced gambling-expansion legislation that went nowhere, and his frustration was evident in comments to local media.

“We’ve tried everything we can on this bill over the years,” said Albritton. “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.”

“It’s been dead for 25 years,” said Albritton on a local radio show. “Why not another 20?”

Even if Albritton’s proposals were accepted they would still require a constitutional amendment which needs to be approved by Alabama voters.