Alabama Lawmakers Ready to Tackle Gambling Legislation Next Year

Article by : Erik Gibbs Nov 14, 2023

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Alabama lawmakers are set to revive a twenty-five-year pursuit of legalized gambling during the upcoming 2024 legislative session, resuming discussions after a one-year hiatus on the issue.

The Alabama House, historically the stage where gambling bills met their demise, is contemplating a different approach this time.

Rather than voting on comprehensive casino plans, legislators are exploring the introduction of measures to establish a regulatory body.

The aim is to address what they perceive as a surge in illegal gambling activities already taking place.

Speaker of the Republican Alabama House, Nathanial Ledbetter, and State Representative Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, who leads an ad hoc group of House members investigating gaming, both emphasized the need for the state to create a gaming commission to oversee and regulate the widespread illicit gambling.

“We have to fix it,” stated Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, after addressing the Mobile Chamber on Thursday.

Ledbetter emphasized the need to regulate gambling, acknowledging its existing presence. He explained that the focus is no longer solely on gaming but on rectifying the prevailing issues. He believes that implementing regulations can significantly reduce gambling activities.

Despite this stance, anti-gambling groups, particularly the Alabama Citizen’s Action Program (ALCAP), argue against establishing a new government regulatory agency.

ALCAP, representing over 3,500 churches in Alabama, deems the proposed regulatory body unnecessary for addressing “a few dozen instances” of illegal gaming. They view the approach as a “smokescreen” for legalizing gambling.

Greg Davis, president of ALCAP, acknowledged the occurrence of illegal gambling but questioned whether legalizing some forms would eliminate all illegal activities.

Davis expressed skepticism that illegal operators would willingly comply with regulations and taxes. Whitt, however, stressed the widespread impact of illegal gambling in Alabama, encompassing scratch-off games and slot machines, likening it to organized crime.

Ledbetter countered Davis’s claims, asserting that there are 77 known illicit gambling operators in Jefferson County alone.

Ledbetter highlighted the urgency of the issue, stating that the state lacks the manpower to effectively combat illegal operations. Illicit gambling has been discovered in various locations, including thrift shops and grocery stores. Both Whitt and Ledbetter advocate for initiating a lottery in Alabama, emphasizing the financial benefits.

Alabama is currently one of five states without a lottery, and residents frequently cross state lines to participate in neighboring states’ lotteries. A statewide lottery is estimated to generate between $200 million to $300 million for Alabama, following the success of Mississippi’s lottery.

Ledbetter expressed concern over the financial losses, particularly for education, emphasizing the need for Alabama to catch up with neighboring states.

While a comprehensive approach to gambling legalization faces political complexities, including amending the state constitution, Whitt urged for a more thorough examination, especially considering changes over the past 25 years.

Despite the legislative pause last spring, Ledbetter pointed out the inevitability of addressing gambling legislatively and urged the Legislature to relinquish control to professionals once enforcement matters are resolved.