The push for an Alabama lottery is now a competition.
Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Range, filed a lottery bill this week that would establish a state lottery and limit it to paper-based games — a move that has drawn opposition in the past from senators who say it could give a major gambling entity in Alabama a unique advantage over others.
"It's a simple lottery," Albritton said on Wednesday afternoon. "It gives people the right to vote as to whether to have a lottery or not. Straight paper lottery. That's it."
The bill will be in a Senate committee Thursday morning, along with other proposals filed by Sen. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, who has filed a bill that would give the state's four dog tracks access to the same gaming machines that the federally recognized Poarch Band of Creek Indians, who operate casinos in Atmore, Montgomery, and Wetumpka could obtain if a lottery came to Alabama.
McClendon said in a phone interview Wednesday that the provision could help restore jobs at places like VictoryLand in Macon County, which shed employees in the face of raids.
"Once we get my bill through, owners and operators will get the confidence to open tomorrow and next week and next year, there's going to be job opportunities for Alabamians," he said.
The paper-based game language has sunk previous efforts at bringing a lottery to the state. In 2016, an amendment to a lottery amendment turned Senate Democrats who had supported the measure against it. Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, whose district includes GreeneTrack in Greene County, said making the game paper-based would prevent dog tracks like GreeneTrack from installing video lottery terminals (VLTs).
But, he said, federal law considers lotteries Class III gaming, a category that includes slot machines and table games. Singleton said the Poarch Band, who operate under federal law, would have access to the machines.
"The reality is a lottery is a Class III game," Singleton said. "If we allow Class III gaming they will go full casino, as opposed to bingo," Singleton said.
Robert McGhee, the director of government relations for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, said he hadn't looked at all Albritton's bill in detail, but said it would give "the people of Alabama what they want," an opportunity to vote on a lottery.
"The point is you still have to have a negotiated compact with the state," he said. "We do not operate outside of a compact."
Albritton's district includes Atmore, where the Poarch Band operate Wind Creek Casino.
"I speak to my constituents, the Poarch Band included, about this particular bill," he said, adding that "I haven't gotten a yes or a no."
Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, said there will be a public hearing Thursday morning but no vote. McClendon said he expects a vote on both bills on Wednesday. Marsh had expressed doubts about McClendon's legislation, and seemed supportive of McClendon's legislation.
"I take it to be the most straight, simple lottery bill there is," Marsh said. "If that's the case, I think it's the one with the best case to get out of the legislature."
Both bills are constitutional amendments, which would need to be approved by voters if they pass the Alabama Legislature.
Maybe attempt #3 will come up. I hate the mentality of do as I say, not as I do...assuming some of these bozos cross state lines to play lotteries. Paper lottery sounds like PB/MM to me.
It must drive them bonkers with the several Indian Casinos there. Especially the one right on I-65. They can't regulate them on sovereign land.
I feel like this article is posted on LP and reposted every other month. They either get the lottery or THEY DON'T. Does it have to go through this many rounds of legislation?
The Alabama legislators can't make up their mind on what type of lottery they want. With all the successful states lotteries they could simply point at the best and say "that's what we want".
Some of those Southern States love to play hardball when it comes to the lottery. If it's not some pastors having a fit over gambling in their backyard, it's politicians not being able to make up their minds.Lots of panic down there, more like dazed and confused.
noise-gate,
It's not just Southern states, consider Utah for instance.
Also it's interesting that in the parking lots of casinos on the Nevada -Utah border there are plenty of vehicles with Utah license plates.
Coin Toss, when l posted " Southern States " l meant those particular States that have or are thinking of having a State lottery. Utah & Nevada do not nor are contemplating having one, at this time. Mississippi & Alabama got strong resistance from the religious leadership community, as you well know. I don't think l was being unfair in my assessment.
noise-gate,
Not criticizing your assessment, 'just saying...'
For a very long time it was believed Tennessee would never get a lottery but we know what happened there.
Those who run any kind of gambling believe a player will always find 'action'..........as an example when Players (since bought out by Harrah's) came to Southern Illinois a lot os the staff were from Nevada........casino people.......and they found themselves patronizing American Legion bingo.
On bad weather days a lot of construction workers hit the casino there, and on snow days, school teachers....."well the buses can't get the kids to school but I can make it to the casino".
AS a side note, when casinos expanded and started out with river boats located in small towns, a lot of the resistance from religious leaders in the community was coming from Catholic churches that were worried about their bingo games having competition.
So you do agree with me CT - those States politicians & religious leaders you mentioned, joined the happy band of being dazed and confused. There is no daylight between these two groups.Whether the one is talking about bingo competition or gambling is a tax on the poor, its all vanilla. Glad we have come to an accord.
You're into one of those debates comparing apples to onions again!
It should be obvious to anybody that religion is one of the underlying reasons Alabama is having difficulties creating a state run lottery. Never read where the legislators (for or against?) believed construction workers and school teachers in Alabama will flock to stores to buy lottery tickets on inclement days. Have no idea how casino gambling is even related to you offering your opinion why Alabama is having problems creating a lottery.
And speaking of Utah and unrelated discussions, did you see where they finally joined the 21st century by repealing their unconstitutional 1973 law.
l have no problem with religion existing, what l have a problem with is religious leaders telling us what we should & should not do. Encroaching on people's desires or how they should spend their money etc etc. Prostitution existed in the time of the Christ, yet there no scripture of any of the disciples or Christ himself attempting to stamp it out. They were more interested in spreading the word, religious leaders should stick to what they think they know, which should be minding their own business... just saying.
Who do those religious leaders think they are???? How dare they think prostitution is wrong! Upholding family values and respecting women and telling people there are other options to selling your body.
Lol The only people who yell about prostitution not being a crime, are serial killers, pimps, and clients. But I guess publishing the names of the "Johns" can make those clients unhappy.
And Jesus did tell the woman caught in adultery to go and sin no more. And most people with any sort of an understanding of any basic religious principles, understands giving money to the poor. How dare those churches suggest helping the less fortunate .
Well, They need to mind their own business!. Of course, Jesus never spoke of helping the poor , your neighbor, etc.
I must have missed where you said "prostitution isn't or shouldn't be a crime"; maybe Craft said it. But I forgot some people believe it's necessary to make it looks like you said that.
While religion is one of many hurdles in trying to create an Alabama Lottery, bet the biggest is how the law makers will spend the profits. Now trying to figure out how adultery applies to the lottery news.
Please let's not talk about family values- lots of the folks who claim family values had no problem pulling the lever for you *know who, to be their leader. I will not get drawn out into a protracted debate , but suffice to say, One of Christ ancestors was a prostitute, shocked? Do research. No one is saying prostitution is right, on the contrary, l am saying the main focus of the Christ was not to condemn.Lastly, despite what you may think or say, your knowledge of Christianity is no match for mine.