A compromise plan involving a lottery and the introduction of 10 casinos received the green light from the Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday night. This crucial advancement now positions the legislation just one step away from being subjected to the voters’ final verdict.
With a vote of 72-29, the House has approved HB151, a constitutional amendment, surpassing the required minimum of 63 votes. Subsequently, the House passed HB152, the second bill in the package outlining certain specifics of the plan, with a vote of 70-29.
The Senate will review the two bills and subsequently decide on sending a proposed constitutional amendment to the ballot for a special election on Aug. 20, if approved. The exact timing of the Senate’s consideration of the bills remains uncertain, as the Senate adjourned on Tuesday night following the House’s approval to deliberate on the legislation within their respective Republican and Democratic caucuses. A definite timeline for resuming discussions was not provided.
The House has approved a compromise plan that allows for a lottery to be established, with the funds generated being allocated towards educational initiatives. This plan also permits electronic gambling at seven specific locations, including former greyhound tracks in Jefferson, Mobile, Macon, and Greene counties, as well as current bingo halls in Greene, Houston, and Lowndes counties. It is important to note that table games like blackjack or craps will not be included in this proposal.
HB152 provides a comprehensive definition of electronic games of chance, encompassing various forms of electronic gambling machines. These machines include, but are not limited to, slot machines as defined in federal law, pachinko, video lottery terminals, video poker, electronic bingo machines, and historical horse racing machines.
The proposal involves the governor engaging in discussions with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to establish an agreement for gambling activities on tribal territories in Atmore, Wetumpka, and Montgomery. This may encompass various types of in-person casino-style gambling.
The inclusion of sports betting, which was present in a previous plan approved by the House but absent in the Senate’s plan, is not part of the current proposal. The proposed plan aims to establish an Alabama Gambling Commission responsible for overseeing and implementing gambling regulations throughout the state. Additionally, it seeks to revoke 17 local amendments that currently permit bingo in certain counties, with the effective date set for September 2026. Furthermore, the plan intends to prevent any future local amendments related to gambling.
Earlier on Tuesday, a conference committee consisting of three representatives and three senators approved the two bills, HB151 and HB152. This committee was formed in response to the varying versions of the plan that were passed by the House and Senate in February and March. These bills would enable the inclusion of traditional paper bingo and raffles, both of which would be regulated by the newly established gambling commission.
Alabama is one of five states that do not have lotteries. The four states that border Alabama have lotteries.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/noticias/2024/05/01/71978-alabama-house-gives-the-green-light-to-a-proposal-including-a-lottery-10-casinos-no-sports-betting
