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 much money as a state-run lottery. Sanford said estimates put the amount of money to be generated by power ball to the state would be between $40 million to $50 million.
Proponents of a state operated lottery said it could generate many more dollars, maybe as much as $150 million a year.
The chairman of the committee, Senate leader Del Marsh, urged the committee to effectively kill the bill because he had said he did not want to see any gambling legislation be part of the on-going second special session.
Marsh is the author of a package of bills that would legalize casino-style gambling at four locations around the state and create a state lottery.
Marsh had offered the gambling legislation earlier this year and said he will push it in the regular session of the Legislature in February. Marsh claims his legislation would raise $400- to $500 million for the state with much of those dollars going into the state's troubled General Fund budget.
Some, including Gov. Robert Bentley, had charged that Marsh's gambling bills had clouded the effort to solve the state's budget crisis. Marsh's response was to say he would not include any gaming legislation in the second special session.
Sanford said he was not surprised by the vote. Sanford said that those who want to establish casino gambling want to link it to the creation of a lottery because polls show a lottery is supported by a large percentage of Alabamians.
Democrats want gaming full steam ahead," said Sanford. "The challenges of those who want gaming know that it is easier with a lottery attached."
No surprises there. It's that Pinto masquerading as a Bentley again. This guy is still living in the stone age.
'Democrats said Sanford's power ball lottery — which would see the state team with other states to offer a lottery — would not generate as much money as a state-run lottery.'
A question of letting the perfect be the enemy of the good!
Alabamians will continue to play neighboring state lotteries, raising revenue for other states. Alabamians can subscribe to the Massachusetts Megabucks Doubler, which is available across the US.
Keep playing in the border states that have the lottery.
we took bets that this bill was going to die, before we could vote on it. Marsh & Bentley , both need to be voted out of office. They live in the dark ages. The last thing Alabama need is these man overseeing a state lottery. If they partner up with some one who already has a lottery fine. They can't balance the budget fund they work with now. Why let them handle anything that has any thing to do with gaming & definitely not the funds. I guess this is why more people here leave the state to have fun. We make sure to use as much as possible in the states we win it in that Alabama get nothing at the end of the year.The lottery could help in tourism. Think about it, how many time have you just buy a few lottery tickets just gassing up on a trip, or at the airport waiting on your plane.
-this ancient dermatologist turned (somehow)governor should be voted out in the next election. he's 72 years old and has no faculties left to lose since he is so old. keep the money in the state. it is too late to try and stop people from playing the lottery. it is most peoples only hope for prosperity. making the people in the middle of the state drive to another border state to play is ridiculous. wake up gov the gambling horse left the barn a long time ago.
Just like the people who are voted into office, should have let the people vote on a lottery.
Loving your post, made me laugh, albeit the truth. Vote the bums out and vote in a lottery. Bet if Mississippi had a lottery they might change their tune...surrounded by lottery offering states.
AL will get their lotto . Money changes everything. Our Governor said no to fireworks but when they saw all the people spending money in CT and PA, they decided to sell them for two months.
IKR, just wait till the people who didn't get to vote in this new law kick out the politicians in next election for voting against it.