Gambling bills in Alabama approved by the house

Gambling bills in Alabama approved by the house

 With the passage of a bill, lawmakers in Alabama have moved the state closer to a vote on whether or not to legalise sports betting.

 On Thursday, the Alabama House of Representatives approved two measures that would legalise and regulate commercial gambling in the state.

 The state legislature still has to approve Representative Chris Blackshear's HB151 and HB152.  The former would be added to the ballot in November and, like the latter, would require public ratification as a constitutional amendment.

 In a statement released on Thursday, Governor Kay Ivey expressed her support for the legislation "in their current form." She would subsequently be required to ratify both laws.

 "Alabamians will have their say on regulated, limited forms of gaming and the proposal passed by the house will clean up and crack down on the rampant illegal gambling," Ivey added, referring to the proposal's impact on illegal gambling.

 The items that make up the gaming bills
 Both HB151 and HB152 were approved by the House on Thursday with scores of 70 and 32, respectively.  On Wednesday, the two-bill package was passed by voice vote by the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee.

 In parts of the state where bingo-like games are played, HB151 would legalise casinos, a state lottery, and retail and online sports betting.  The Poarch Band of Creek Indians run the three casinos in the state, and this bill would give the state the green light to negotiate a gaming agreement with them.

 To oversee the state's gaming and lottery industries, HB152 establishes a commission.  It proposes establishing a gaming commission in Alabama with the authority to license casinos and a department to handle law enforcement matters.  Up to six casinos could be licensed by the Alabama Gaming Commission; the Poarch Band would own the seventh.

 "Finally, at least from the house perspective, we heard you loud and clear from the polling, and we're giving the citizens the right to decide what they want in the state as it relates to gaming," Blackshear told reporters after the laws took effect.

 Lotteries, casinos, and sports betting have the potential to bring in up to $900 million for the state, according to the Legislative Services Agency.  Included in that total would be funds received as a result of an agreement with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

 Earlier this week, during a public hearing, Blackshear stated that the state might get up to $1.21 billion from increased gaming.  Casinos would bring in $315–$492.2 million, while sports betting may bring in up to $42.5 million, according to the fiscal note for HB152.  It is possible to raise $305.6 million to $379.4 million through the lottery.  According to Blackshear, an additional $300 million might be obtained through a possible agreement with the Poarch Band.