The Alabama House of Representatives has given the nod to two bills on Thursday, charting the course for an extension of commercial gambling within the state.
Sponsored by Rep. Chris Blackshear, Bills HB151 and HB152 await further scrutiny in the state’s upper house.
The former, earmarked as a constitutional amendment, necessitates public endorsement and is slated for inclusion on the November ballot.
Governor Kay Ivey, whose approval is pivotal, remarked on Thursday that the bills “in their current form” enjoy her backing.
“The proposal passed by the House will clean up and crack down on the rampant illegal gambling and will give Alabamians the opportunity to have their say on regulated, limited forms of gaming,” Governor Ivey asserted.
HB151 sailed through the House with a vote of 70-32, while HB152 secured passage with a margin of 67-31.
The House Economic Development and Tourism Committee gave the green light to the dual bill initiative on Wednesday via voice votes.
HB151 seeks to legalise retail and online sports betting, establish a state lottery, and permit casinos in regions where bingo-type games are prevalent.
Additionally, it empowers the state to engage in negotiations for a gaming compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, operators of the three existing casinos in Alabama.
Meanwhile, HB152 establishes a state lottery and gaming commission to oversee the regulation of these gambling sectors. It envisages the formation of an Alabama Gaming Commission responsible for casino licensing, inclusive of a dedicated law enforcement arm.
The commission could grant licences to up to six casinos, with the seventh reserved for the Poarch Band.
Addressing reporters post the bills’ passage, Blackshear remarked, “Finally, at least from the House perspective, we heard you loud and clear from the polling, and we’re giving the citizens the right to decide what they want in the state as it relates to gaming.”
According to estimates by the Legislative Services Agency, the state stands to gain up to £900m from the lottery, casinos, and sports betting, including revenue from a prospective compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.