Senate discusses newly amended gambling bill
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DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) - The Alabama state Senate is discussing a newly amended version of House Bill 151 that passed through the Senate Committee Wednesday.
After being passed in the House, HB151 included sports betting, online gambling and allowed for ten potential casino locations. Now, all of those have been removed or limited.
The amended bill eliminates sports betting and online gambling and limits table games to three casinos operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The bill directs Governor Kay Ivey to pursue a compact with PCI, who operate casinos in Atmore, Montgomery and Wetumpka.
While those changes have been made, the amended bill leaves the proposed state lottery intact, with the first three and a half years of proceeds going towards the states general fund, then one-third of the proceeds going towards education after that.
People of Dothan are tired of having to cross state lines to place bets or buy lottery tickets.
“I wouldn’t mind stopping at the convenience store in Dothan, buying me some gas and getting a lottery ticket,” said David Smith, a Dothan resident who says he’s been buying Florida lottery tickets since the 1980s. “But, I have to buy my gas in Alabama and come here to gamble.”
David’s nephew, James Smith, was with him as he purchased lottery tickets. He said Alabama not having gambling is only hurting themselves.
“People are going to gamble regardless,” said James Smith. “They talk about how the money will go towards schools, infrastructure, and different things. I think that’s good, even though some people may lose and some people may win, but it’s still coming back to Alabama.”
Alabama legislators haven’t had a gambling bill reach the polls since 1999, which was ultimately voted down.
With this being a reoccurring issue among lawmakers, Houston County Commission Chairman Brandon Shoupe said he wouldn’t be surprised if the people of Alabama had more questions before they had answers.
“I do think that this will be something that will continue to evolve as time goes on. I don’t think that people that want casino gambling are going to just go throw up their hands and give up,” said Chairman Shoupe. “So, this is going to be an ongoing discussion, just like it has been for the past 25 years. It may be an ongoing discussion for the next 25 years.”
If the Senate passes the amended bill, it would have to go back through and pass in the House before reaching the polls. The amended Senate bill would also call for a special election on Sept. 10, as opposed to being on the general election ballot in November.
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