Alabama Gaming Expansion Compromise Fails by One Vote; Governor Ivey Disappointed
The future of gaming expansion in Alabama hangs in the balance for another year after a compromise reached by a special legislative committee couldn't gather enough votes in the state Senate.
Gambling expansion has been a topic in the state capital of Montgomery since 1999 when residents voted down a statewide referendum for a lottery with 54% against and 46% for. Since then, lawmakers have introduced several bills to expand gaming options, but they've all met with failure.
A similar outcome happened last week when a gaming package negotiated by a conference committee missed the three-fifths majority mark in the upper chamber by one vote. The committee members recommended creating a lottery and allowing electronic gaming machines at horse racing venues. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the state's only federally recognized tribe, was allowed to turn their bingo-based casinos in Atmore, Montgomery, and Wetumpka into full-fledged casinos with Vegas-style slots and live dealer table games.
If the Senate had passed the package, voters would've decided their opinion during an August special election.
Gov. Ivey Voices Disappointment
The Alabama House of Delegates swiftly approved the gaming compromise when they received it earlier this month, but it was left stranded in the Senate soon after.
Governor Kay Ivey (R), a firm advocate of gaming expansion, especially a lottery, stated she wouldn't initiate a special session to discuss the matter further. "Why would I do that?" Ivey questioned. "They can't reach an agreement among themselves. Why would I waste time, energy, and resources on a special session? Everyone's always putting it off for the next year. I think people are tired of waiting."
State Senator Greg Albritton (R-Atmore), who usually advocates for gaming bills in the Senate and served on the six-member conference committee, shocked many by voting against the proposal. Albritton claimed he was overruled in the committee and believed the agreed-upon solution would hurt the Poarch Creek Indians by allowing slots at racetracks while not allowing the tribe to pursue a fourth casino in the northeastern part of the state as he proposed.
Criticism from House Members
House supporters directed criticism at Albritton for his vote, with Rep. Thomas Jackson (D-Thomasville) accusing the Senate of continuing to fund education and other services through lotteries in Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee while Alabama is left behind.
"We are hypocrites, that's what we are," Jackson said.
Rep. Chris Blackshear (R-Smiths Station) deemed Albritton and other no-vote senators as politicians who opposed gaming to enhance their reelection campaigns.
"It irritates me," Blackshear commented. "The voters are not as uninformed as they think they are."
Despite Alabama being a conservative stronghold in the "Bible Belt," recent polls show shifting sentiment among voters towards a lottery and potential casino gaming and sports betting. A survey by Alabama Daily News in February found 71% of likely voters favoring more gambling options.
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Source: www.casino.org
