Summary:
- The new bill does not include sports betting or commercial casinos.
- The senators will consider the changes for approval.
- Residents may vote on the Senate plan in a special September election.
Earlier this year, the Alabama House passed a measure to bring casino gambling, sports betting, and the lottery to the state. Unfortunately, the Senate seems to have difficulty agreeing with such gambling changes.
This week, the Alabama Senate suggested a revised gambling bill that removes every element of the House bill except for the lottery aspect and a new compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
Moving Forward
The new version is just a draft; more changes could be seen before it is reviewed during a Senate meeting tomorrow. HB151 would be voted on September 10 in a special election if approved. The House bill is going to be on the November ballot.
Last week, a public hearing was held on the House bill in the Senate Tourism Committee. No vote took place then, and we now know they were most likely preparing to provide the amendments to the measure before consideration.
In a surprising turn of events, the Senate bill will continue to allow pari-mutuel wagering based on historical horse races. Racetracks in several counties, along with bingo halls, will be able to offer the services if approved.
The amendment allows for lottery gaming and proposes changing the 2022 constitution to establish a state lottery overseen by the Alabama Gambling Commission.
Taxes, Regulation, and Poarch Creek
The proposal by the Senate will set a 24-32% tax on operators as determined by the new Alabama Gambling Commission. The amendment would require lawmakers to create a law enforcement division in the Commission to handle lottery games and other activities. The goal is to ensure there are no illegal gambling activities taking place.
The Senate bill also seeks to negotiate a new compact with the Governor and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The Governor can negotiate a new compact but cannot grant authority for gaming activities to be allowed outside tribal lands.
All local bingo amendments would be repealed, and the measure would prohibit any future local amendment to the 2022 Constitution of Alabama regarding gambling.
So, is the Senate focusing on the Poarch Band due to pushback, or do they feel that commercial Alabama casinos won’t work in the state? It’s a big change from the House bill and makes things quite interesting for late 2024 regarding local voting. It will be interesting to see if any additional changes are made and if the state is actually going to be able to make any headway regarding an overall gambling expansion.
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