Search

Alabama senator makes one last push for lottery vote before end of legislative sessionNews Story
As the 2016 Alabama legislative session rushes to the finish line, one legislator is pushing for a lottery vote one last time. The Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee on Thursday voted 4-2 for a constitutional amendment that would allow Alabamians to vote on a state lottery. Senator Jim McClendon (R-Springville) introduced a lottery bill at the beginning of the legislative session, and said at the time it would raise $300 million in additional revenue for the state on an annual basis. H
Apr 22, 2016, 11:27 am - Lottery News

No consensus on what an Alabama lottery would look likeNews Story
Is a lottery coming to Alabama? Some lawmakers say that's the winning ticket when it comes to fixing the state's budget problems. But, it's a controversial issue with some lawmakers morally opposed to the idea. It has been 17 years since Alabamians voted no on a lottery, and they might get the chance to vote once again. Even the lawmakers who do want a lottery don't agree on what kind of lottery is right for Alabama. The only wild card would be a lottery which would be difficult to bud
Feb 22, 2016, 9:08 am - Lottery News

Odds not in favor of Alabamians voting on a lottery this yearNews Story
Leadership in the Alabama Senate says there's less than a coin flip's chance a lottery bill passes the upper chamber this year. Polls show the people of Alabama want to vote on whether to create a lottery. But, many senators say they want to make sure the right proposal goes before the people and they haven't seen it yet. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh was asked if any of the current lottery proposals stand a chance this year. I'd give them about a 40 percent chance, said Marsh. I
Feb 19, 2016, 11:33 am - Lottery News

Alabama House committee OKs lottery billNews Story
A House committee Wednesday afternoon approved a bill that would allow voters to decide whether to establish a lottery in the state of Alabama. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Alan Harper, R-Northport, would currently authorize a vote on a lottery. But Harper said in committee and after the vote that he expected an amendment that would describe distribution of proceeds, which he expected to be shared between Education Trust Fund and the General Fund. Our vote today is for our citizens' right
Feb 10, 2016, 5:06 pm - Lottery News

Lottery bill scheduled for early hearing in Alabama LegislatureNews Story
A proposal by some Republican lawmakers to allow a statewide vote on a lottery is scheduled for discussion in a public hearing on Wednesday. The Economic Development and Tourism Committee in the House of Representatives plans to hold the hearing at 1 p.m. in room 410 at the State House. The bill, by Rep. Alan Harper, R-Northport, does not specify how lottery proceeds would be used if the voters approved the constitutional amendment. The Legislature would have to decide that later. Se
Feb 9, 2016, 10:31 am - Lottery News

Republican lawmakers to sponsor Alabama lottery billNews Story
The Powerball jackpot has climbed to $700 million and many Alabamians are crossing the state line for a chance to win the prize. Powerball is played in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin lslands, but it is not allowed in Alabama. As people cross the state line to buy tickets, some Alabama lawmakers are working on legislation to change that. Republican Senator Jim McClendon from Springville plans to sponsor a bill during the legislative session that beg
Jan 8, 2016, 9:24 am - Lottery News

Last try for Alabama lottery dies in Senate committeeNews Story
Legislation that would have authorized a public vote to establish an Alabama Powerball like lottery died this afternoon in a state Senate committee. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville, was effectively killed when a majority of senators in the Tourism and Marketing Committee voted against it. That included both Republicans and Democrats. Democrats said Sanford's power ball lottery which would see the state team with other states to offer a lottery would not generate as m
Sep 14, 2015, 8:54 am - Lottery News

Alabama lottery talk renews in upcoming special sessionNews Story
Governor Bentley told lawmakers that for this special session they could consider any measures that would provide revenue to Alabama's general fund budget. However some, like state representative John Rogers, think there's not enough time for serious debate along the lines of casino gaming or a state lottery. It's something that we've got to have but, I don't think we have enough time to really make it a proper issue, said Rogers. Senator Paul Sanford of Huntsville confirmed Monday he
Sep 8, 2015, 7:16 am - Lottery News

Alabama lottery proposal dead for nowNews Story
Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, recently announced he will not push his bill to allow a statewide vote on a lottery and casinos during the second special session. Sen. Paul Sanford, R- Huntsville, said he will introduce his own lottery proposal for the first time, according to a report from the Associated Press. Marsh's legislation introduced during the regular session and first special session was a proposed constitutional amendment to allow gambling operations at
Aug 26, 2015, 11:00 am - Lottery News

Alabama Gov. compares lottery to leisure suitsNews Story
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley took his campaign for tax increases and budget reform to the Bessemer Chamber of Commerce today, where he was asked about whether he's concerned that Alabamians buy lottery tickets in other states. Bentley indicated an Alabama lottery would not be the budget booster that some people think. Now listen folks, the lottery is like leisure suits, the governor said. We're about 30 years behind. Three neighboring states, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee, already hav
Aug 2, 2015, 11:37 am - Lottery News