The debate between supporters and opponents of potential lottery and gambling legislation in Alabama is intensifying as the 2025 legislative session approaches next week.
The Alabama Legislature will start its 2025 session on February 4.
Because Alabama doesn't carry over bills, any gaming expansion proposals that failed in the 2024 session must be reintroduced. However, efforts to propose new legislation are already underway.
Group Supports Lottery and Casinos Expansion in Alabama
The Petroleum & Convenience Marketers of Alabama, a group that advocates for better business conditions for its members, is urging Alabama lawmakers to pass a lottery bill.
The group recently launched pro-lottery ads on social media, urging Alabamians to ask their legislators to "support your right to vote on a State Lottery."
The ad directs viewers to a page called Give Alabama A Voice, which says, "Tell Montgomery YOU want the chance to vote on an Alabama Lottery!"
Opposition Groups Also Take Up the Fight
"On Monday, the Alabama Policy Institute (API) launched a new website called Betting Hurts Alabama."
API explained that this educational website presents information and resources related to gambling expansion, including research, data, and reports on the impact of gambling and the potential negative effects of expanding it in Alabama.
Last Year’s Gambling Bills Fell One Vote Short
Alabama is one of the most restrictive states for gaming. It doesn't have a lottery, commercial casinos, online casinos, sports betting, or Class III tribal casinos with Las Vegas-style slot machines and table games. The only permitted forms of gambling are charitable gaming, parimutuel wagering, and Class II tribal gaming.
In the 2024 regular legislative session, lawmakers concentrated on a gambling package (HB 151 and HB 152), but it ultimately didn't pass.
Reps. Chris Blackshear and Andy Whitt introduced the bills, which aimed to establish a state lottery, allow limited casino gambling, and create a state commission to regulate the industry.
The House approved the bill in February, but the Senate reduced its scope the following month. In the end, the two chambers couldn't agree on a version, and it fell one vote short of the three-fifths majority needed in the Senate to pass.
Casinos in Alabama Were on the Table Last Session
The package that lawmakers couldn't agree on last year included:
- A lottery to support education.
- Approval for up to seven casinos with slot machines and other electronic gaming devices.
- A ban on table games, cards, dice, and live dealers.
The package also instructed Gov. Kay Ivey to negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the federally recognized tribe operating casinos in Atmore, Montgomery, and Wetumpka.
This plan would have allowed the tribe to upgrade from Class II to Class III gaming, enabling them to offer Las Vegas-style slot machines and live dealer table games. Currently, their Wind Creek Casinos only have electronic bingo-based games.
Poarch Creek Indians Will Have a Say
Bringing gambling legislation to the public requires collaboration with groups like the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Rep. Sam Jones told CBS 42 News, "I don't know if we addressed everything they wanted last year. But I believe those discussions can continue. I see no reason why they shouldn't, especially since they're already involved in gaming in the state."
The tribe purchased the Birmingham Racecourse to increase their influence in Alabama's northern region.
The racecourse can offer slot-like historical horse racing (HHR) machines because it operates as a parimutuel wagering facility. These HHR machines look and sound like slot machines but function differently. They determine wins based on past horse race results rather than random outcomes.
Will Another Alabama Gambling Bill Be Introduced This Year?
The 2025 legislative session begins Tuesday and will run until May 15, giving lawmakers time to reach an agreement.
Governor Ivey supports the idea. She’s urged lawmakers in Montgomery to send a bill to her desk authorizing a state lottery, commercial casinos, or ideally, both.
After last year’s session, Sen. Greg Albritton, who initially sponsored the Senate gambling bill but ultimately voted against it, mentioned that it will be challenging to find a lawmaker willing to sponsor a comprehensive bill again.
Rep. Jones, who sponsored the gambling bill in the House, expressed his openness to working on the bill again with colleagues from both parties and chambers. Representative Whitt said that the House has shown it can and is ready to pass a gaming bill.
But even if lawmakers can agree, there’s no guarantee that the people will go for it. The last time any form of gaming was on the Alabama ballot was in 1999, and it was defeated in a statewide vote.
So, there’s still a long road ahead.
