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Alabama tribal casino bill would include sports betting, state lottery

Alabama lawmakers will reportedly introduce legislation that would expand gambling to tribal casinos with slot machines and table games.

Wind Creek Atmore. Alabama lawmakers are reportedly preparing a bill that would allow the state's....aussiedlerbote.de
Wind Creek Atmore. Alabama lawmakers are reportedly preparing a bill that would allow the state's tribal casinos to incorporate Las Vegas gaming operations, including slot machines, table games and sports betting..aussiedlerbote.de

Alabama tribal casino bill would include sports betting, state lottery

Alabama lawmakers will reportedly introduce legislation next month that would expand gambling in the state to include tribal casinos with slot machines and table games. People familiar with the matter in Montgomery said the gaming package would also include sports betting and a state lottery.

The Alabama Legislature will convene for its 2024 session on February 6. Lawmakers will once again try to expand gambling in the Cotton State, state news site 1819 News reported anonymously.

The gambling law seeks to allow the state's only federally recognized tribe - the Poarch Band of Creek Indians - to move its three casinos in Atmore, Montgomery and Wetupka from Class II bingo The gaming venue is upgraded to a Level 3 casino in Las Vegas Expansion Vegas. Style Gambling. The legislation could allow the tribe to build new brick-and-mortar casinos in Birmingham, Macon, Greene, Lowndes, Houston and Mobile counties.

Sports Betting, Lottery

Alabama lawmakers who support gambling policy also want to allow in-person and online sports betting as well as the state lottery.

The Poarch Creek Indians will receive sports betting privileges, but commercial operators will also have the opportunity to apply for online licenses. The newly formed Alabama Gaming Commission will process applications and issue licenses, then regulate sports betting operations.

According to sources, the gaming package will also include a lottery component. Alabama is one of the few states that currently does not have a lottery.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey's (R) 2020 Gambling Policy Research Group Report estimated that the state receives $200 million to $300 million in tax revenue from the lottery annually, and $300 million to The $400 million Class III casino gaming could generate $10 million in tax revenue from the lottery. Sports Betting. The study found that such games would also create 19,000 jobs — "many with wage benefits well above the state's current average annual earnings."

A gambling bill pending in the Legislature would allocate tribal casino revenue and sports betting taxes to the state's general fund budget. Lottery revenue will help support public education.

Extended path

Elected officials in Alabama do not have the power to individually approve new forms of gambling. The Alabama Constitution prohibits all forms of commercial gambling.

To change this, state voters must approve changes to the regulatory framework document through a statewide ballot referendum. A simple majority is needed to pass the referendum.

A poll conducted in conjunction with Ivey's Gaming Research found that more than seven in 10 likely voters strongly or somewhat support the idea of ​​introducing a lottery. The poll found that 63% of likely voters preferred casino slot machines and 61% preferred table games. More than half support online sports betting.

Casino supporters say opponents who don't want more gambling are wrong. Casino advocates say gambling laws would actually reduce gambling by shutting down illegal gambling networks.

The legislation is expected to include new laws on illegal gambling penalties, raising charges from misdemeanors to felonies and significantly increasing fines for those convicted.

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Source: www.casino.org