The chances of an Alabama gaming bill passing in the state senate are lessening.
Alabama legislators have been debating gaming expansion bills for the past twenty years but have yet to introduce any new forms of legal gambling in the state. The situation doesn't seem likely to change in 2024.
A conference committee recently recommended that the Alabama Legislature pass two bills, one for a statewide ballot referendum for a special election on August 20 and the other to authorize a state-run lottery, three tribal casinos with slot machines and table games, and up to seven racinos where electronic gaming machines would be allowed.
However, the House of Delegates quickly supported the committee's gaming expansion ideas, while the Senate did not.
After a vote on Tuesday night in the Senate, which resulted in a 20-15 decision, the Senate failed to secure the three-fifths majority needed to initiate a legislative-led ballot referendum to amend the Alabama Constitution. The vote, though, was simply for adopting the conference committee's findings, requiring only a simple majority.
Reports from Montgomery suggest that a second vote today about the gaming package is unlikely. A second vote short of the necessary 21 votes would effectively end the proposed expansion of gambling in Alabama.
Governor Kay Ivey (R) is urging the Senate to allow Alabamans to make the decision about gambling.
“It's time for people in Alabama to have their say,” Ivey stated. “Legislators have had enough opportunities to weigh in — now it's time for Alabama citizens to make the decision. Let's get this done.”
Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore), an ardent advocate for gaming, was among the 15 "no" votes on Tuesday. Albritton, who participated in the conference committee, said he was overruled when trying to provide more exclusivity for the Poach Band of Creek Indians, who currently own and operate a Class II tribal casino in his district. The committee removed a provision from the bill that would have allowed the tribe to establish a commercial casino in the northern part of the state.
“This is a bill that's not suitable for my constituents in my district,” Albritton said after the committee had removed the provision permitting the tribe to pursue a commercial casino in northern Alabama. “The bill established limitations and restrictions on the Poach Creek Indians, making their participation in the industry extremely limited with severe competition. It didn't provide any avenues for growth or even sustainability.”
Albritton lost the Republican primary election to vie for Congress in Alabama's newly drawn 2nd Congressional District in March this year.
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Source: www.casino.org
