In a state that has long been a battleground for gambling legalization, 2024 is shaping up to be a big year potentially for gaming in Alabama. Per a recent report, some state lawmakers expect to see gaming legislation during the upcoming legislative session. Gaming bills were not a focus of the 2023 session, but that could change this next year, according to recent local news reports in Alabama (CBS 42). New Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro) said as his caucus figures out policy priorities, gaming bills are likely to be in the mix. This is juxtaposed with efforts in the statehouse having stalled out over the last few decades to pass legislation that would put the gaming question up to voters.
In this report, SBS will be going over what to look for from the latest gaming news coming from Alabama and also more notes about the state of gambling there.
According to the same recent article, Livingston was quoted talking about the likelihood of a gaming bill coming to fruition next cycle. “There is a gaming bill likely to come in some capacity,” Livingston said. “We need to prioritize these based on what our caucus members would like to see and put those out.” As noted above regarding previous efforts for legalization, lawmakers would need to pass a constitutional amendment for citizens to vote on to legalize the activity.
Senator Greg Albritton (R-Atmore), a familiar name in this space, has sponsored gaming bills over the last several years and has said he plans to bring one next year. He has said the revenue could be an answer to the ballooning prison construction costs in Elmore County. “The gaming bill would produce probably close to a billion dollars every year, which would help the revenue and help us continue on even if a recession were to occur,” Albritton said.
Also noted in the same report, the revenue could also go toward infrastructure, education, or health care needs, according to Rep. Sam Jones (D-Mobile), who chaired a committee that spent months studying the impact of legalizing gaming in Alabama. Jones also points out that one-time federal COVID-19 relief dollars are drying up soon, and gaming revenue would help ease that funding cliff. “That revenue will not be present in the future, but there are tremendous needs that we need to address, and we think that the revenue from gaming will be a great way to approach some of those long-term needs within the state,” Jones said.
Moreover, Jones stresses that there would need to be bipartisan discussions on a gaming bill for the legislation to have a chance at passing. Alabama is one of five states without legal gaming.
Once you are all squared away regarding the latest gaming news coming out of the Cotton State, make sure to also check out the plethora of information at SBS. Of course, for even more info on the topic at hand, our sports betting in Alabama guide is a must-read page where you can learn about the latest happenings in the state. Conversely, if you are perhaps uncertain about which payment options are the best for you, then the payment methods rundown is a fantastic page to check out. Here you can learn more about the different payment methods available to you from crypto to more traditional routes. Finally, if you are intrigued by some higher-stakes wagering, then our VIP sports betting sites breakdown is a great page to check out for info on VIP wagering and if it is the right fit for you.
About the Author
Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
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