Summary:
- The House passed HB151 by a 70-32 vote.
- The Senate needs 21 yes votes for approval.
- If the bill is passed, Alabama residents can vote on the measure.
The Alabama House was successful in passing a constitutional amendment known as HB151 to clear the way for possible legal casinos, the lottery and sports betting in the state.
The House voted 70-32 in approval, and now it’s up to the Senate to give voters a chance to have their say. So far, the Senate does not have enough support for the measure to see it move forward.
More Support is Needed
Senator Greg Albritton has stated that more support is needed in the Senate for HB151 to pass. The legislation was discussed this week, and the Senate is home to 27 Republican seats and eight Democrats. Right now, there are not enough Senators on board with the legislation, and Albritton is trying to change minds.
A total of 21 votes are needed in the Senate to see the legislation move forward. Three-fifths of the Senate is required for legislation to reach the next stage. The bill will not move out of the Senate this week, but there is still time for it to be considered.
The Senate can meet again, and hopefully, there are enough supporters of the legislation to allow it to gain ground. If the bill passes, then Alabama voters can decide if casinos, the lottery, and sports betting should be added this November.
Supporters are Hopeful
Those in support of the bill feel that such activities are long overdue in Alabama. The legislation would replace gambling amendments and create a uniform law that the industry could follow. The Alabama Gaming Commission would be created and offer regulation of casino and sports betting services.
The Commission would also include a law enforcement unit that would work on widespread illegal gambling with a crackdown on the services. The illegal gaming serves no purpose in the state as licensing fees and taxes are unpaid.
It has been estimated that all three new gaming services could bring around $900 million to the state. Opponents fear that an expansion of gambling would lead to addiction and hurt families. Those against the plan also do not like the way the legislation picks the locations for the proposed casinos.
Up to seven casinos can be licensed based on the legislation, and this includes Birmingham, Mobile County, and Lowndes County. One of the licenses would be given to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and is contingent on a new compact with the state.
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