May 6, 2021
In the southern American state of Alabama and two pieces of legislation that would initiate a referendum on whether to legalize a lottery and license up to five more land-based casinos have reportedly taken another step towards being realized.
According to a report from the Associated Press news service, the pair of measures were approved by the Alabama House of Representatives’ Economic Development and Tourism Committee on Tuesday afternoon despite widespread criticism that they would designate ‘winners and losers’ in the race to win one of the proposed new casino licenses.
Ticking clock:
The move reportedly means that the brace of instruments could now be put to a full vote before the
The committee voted to send the bill to the floor of the House of Representatives.
The decision came after a public hearing in which opponents said the bill picks “winners and losers” by naming the nine casino locations. And proponents said it was time to give Alabama voters the opportunity to vote on gambling for the first time in two decades. If approved by lawmakers, the measure would go before voters in November 2022.
The bill would establish a state lottery. Casinos would be located at Victory Land dog track in Macon county, Greentrack dog track in Greene County, Mobile County Race Course in Mobile County and the Crossing at Big Creek in Houston County. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians would also have casinos at its three locations plus the final bid for a new north Alabama site in either Jackson or DeKalb counties.
Alabama gambling legislation advances; vote could come Thursday
Updated May 05, 2021;
Posted May 04, 2021
The Alabama House Economic Development and Tourism Committee discusses a constitutional amendment to allow a lottery and six new casinos.
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A plan to start a lottery, six new casinos, and sports betting advanced today in the Alabama Legislature.
The main bill in the package, a constitutional amendment that would be subject to approval by voters in November 2022, was hashed out in a public hearing that started shortly after 11 a.m.
After the public hearing and a discussion, the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee approved the bill on a voice vote.