Gambling bill stalls in Alabama House as tempers flare
By KIM CHANDLERMay 7, 2021 GMT
Rep. Chris Blackshear talks with the media about gambling legislation outside of the House chamber at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP)
Rep. Chris Blackshear talks with the media about gambling legislation outside of the House chamber at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) Lottery and casino legislation stalled in the Alabama House of Representatives on Thursday night after negotiations failed to muster enough support, leaving the outlook for the gambling bill doubtful with just a day remaining in the session.
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Despite media reports linking proposed gambling legislation to an agreement to allow the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to build a new casino in either DeKalb or Jackson counties, Dist. 8 State Sen. Steve Livingston assured constituents he will study the bill and follow any amendments to it carefully.
Livingston, who represents DeKalb, Jackson and Madison counties, sits on the Alabama Senate Tourism Committee, which gave a favorable report Wednesday to Senate Bill 214. This proposed amendment to the Alabama Constitution is sponsored by State Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston. It would overturn Alabamaâs ban on gambling and games of chance. Senate Bill 215 is the enabling legislation that would go into effect if SB214 is passed and then ratified by Alabama voters on the Nov. 2022 ballot. A 1999 referendum on a constitutional amendment to create a state state lottery and to earmark the resulting revenue for use in education failed 54% to 46%.