MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Republican leader of the Alabama Senate said Thursday that proposed gambling legislation — which would allow a lottery, sports betting and several casinos — has too few votes to pass this legislative session.
Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger issued the statement after being asked about the outlook for the proposal drafted by another senator.
“With 12 meeting days remaining in the session, both budgets still awaiting approval, and other important bills and measures demanding focus and attention, the comprehensive gaming bill released today is simply too little, too late, and has too few votes to pass,” Gudger, a Republican from Cullman, said in the statement released by his office.
Republican Sen. Greg Albritton on Thursday released a draft version of gambling legislation that he hoped would break a 25-year legislative stalemate on gambling.
The proposal would authorize a state lottery as well as sports betting and certain types of electronic gambling machines at six sites across the state. It would also require the governor to negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, which would allow casino games at the tribe’s three Alabama locations and at the former horse track it purchased in Jefferson County.
Albritton said the proposal would bring in needed revenue. The proposal could generate between $598 million and $928 million in total revenue, according to an estimate provided by his office.
However, Albritton said they remained short of the 21 votes needed to pass the measure in the 35-member Alabama Senate.
“I think we still have a good bill. I personally think we have the time frame to get it done, but we have not made any advancements in votes since last year,” Albritton said. He added that there appeared to be a concerted effort “to avoid and not have this brought up again.”
It has been 25 years since Alabama voters last went to the polls on the issue of gambling.
Alabama voters in 1999 rejected a lottery proposed by then-Gov. Don Siegelman. Over the next quarter-century, lawmakers proposed various bills to allow a lottery, casinos or sports betting. But the measures failed amid disagreements over where casinos would be located and opposition to gambling as a revenue source.
Albritton, whose district includes the headquarters for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, called his proposal a scaled-back version of previous bills. Legislation proposed last year would have allowed as many 10 casinos across the state.
“It is very trimmed down. It is the least amount that I think we can do that is economically viable,” Albritton said.
Some of the behind-the-scenes negotiations on the bill centered on the type of games that could be offered and how the revenue would be used.
Gudger told The Associated Press earlier Thursday that he was trying to gauge support for the bill. He said it was “disheartening” for everyone when a gambling proposal failed by one vote last year despite extensive work on the proposal.