Alabama Greyhound Racetracks Back Gambling Expansion
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Four Alabama greyhound racetracks have teamed up for an ad campaign with the aim of increasing support for the legalization of casino gambling, lottery, and sports betting.
Birmingham Race Course, Greenetrack Bingo & Racing, Mobile Greyhound Park, and VictoryLand have set up the Alabama Track Owners Association (ATOA) The association is trying to gain public support for a constitutional amendment which would legalize lottery, traditional casino gambling, and sports betting.
ATOA is supporting a campaign to expand gambling at Alabama's greyhound tracks. It's also supporting job growth and business opportunities.
The ATOA's campaign may have some impact on public opinion regarding the issue. Legislators must pass a bill before the state can expand its gambling options. Several members of Alabama's Republican majority government have typically opposed any gambling expansion legislation. This year's gambling bill failed to gain enough support in the Senate. The House didn't vote on the bill until the last day of the session.
Governor Kay Ivey wants to legalize lottery and casino gambling in Alabama. The study group on gambling found that legal gambling could generate as much as $700m per year in state funds and create 19,000 jobs. 60% of both legislative chambers would have to pass a gambling bill before November 2022.