For many in the Cotton State, gaming has become a hot topic, even more so during the 2021 legislative session. However, according to a recent article from AL.com, the near future for gaming legislation in the state could be on hold. In some years, like in 2021, these bills gain some significant traction at the legislative level, but a recent report says that gambling legislation now appears to be a “longshot.” According to this article, Rep. Chris Blackshear, R-Phenix City, the House sponsor of a proposal that was close to passing in 2021, said he is not working on a bill for the 2023 legislative session which starts later this month. Though this is not to say another representative might not sponsor a bill, it is just more uncertain given the makeup of this new legislative class of politicians in Alabama.
In this article, SBS will be going over what to look for from the latest gaming news coming from Alabama and also some more thoughts about betting in the Cotton State.
In the article from AL.com, Blackshear did not necessarily rule out a proposal for gaming legislation this year, but noted that a large incoming class of new legislators (31 of 105 House members are new) makes support more uncertain. As noted in this space before, gambling bills in the state require a three-fifths vote to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot for voters. Blackshear remarked in the article at hand that there would be some education required for the new members of the legislative group and also giving them the “lay of the land” in Alabama.
Moreover, per the report, Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, also expressed reservations about pursuing a gambling bill in 2023. This was also in part because of the large freshman class in the House. In addition to the House, a major Senate advocate for a lottery and casinos bill for a number of years, Senator Greg Albritton, remarked that it’s “up to the House to initiate a bill this year.” Albritton also noted that the Senate has passed the legislation more than once, including two years ago, only to see the bill die in the House. The senator noted in the report from AL that he will not push a bill this year unless the House moves first.
According to the report, the senator does not agree with the point that the large class of first-year lawmakers is a reason to put off legislation because of the need to bring them up to speed. Albritton said this topic has been before the people (in Alabama) for more than 20 years so they should be up to speed on the issues already. This is also because they had roughly a year beforehand to run and become acquainted with the major issues in the state. Albritton, Blackshear, and former Governor Kay Ivey all support what they call a “comprehensive” gambling proposal, as opposed to a lottery-only bill.
Blackshear noted in the article when asked about the likelihood he will have a bill this year (on a scale of 1 to 10), at about a five. Blackshear remarked that the lack of a bill this year would not necessarily be a setback for proponents of a lottery and casino bill. He said in the article that lawmakers could pass a bill next year and get it on the ballot for the 2024 general election, which he said would be the optimal time for a statewide Alabama vote.
Once you are all done getting your fill on the latest gaming news coming from Alabama, make sure to tap into the variety of different information SBS has in store for you. For even more notes related to the state, our sports betting in Alabama guide is a must-read page that details all of the latest happenings regarding gaming in the state. Moreover, if you are maybe uncertain about which payment options are the best for you, do not fret as the SBS payment methods rundown is an informative read. Here, you can find a variety of options for payment from traditional routes to newer outlets like cryptocurrencies. On a final note, when it comes to higher stakes betting, the SBS VIP sports betting sites breakdown is a great page to see if this is a fit for you.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football in the Mountain West Conference, and basketball. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones.
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