Alabama Gambling Bills Head to Conference Committee

By Jerry Smith Staff Writer Updated: 04/20/2024

Jerry Smith Staff Writer See Full Bio

Jerry’s greatest advantage is his extensive experience on the casino floor. His time as a casino manager taught him everything about what makes a player tick. Besides being a skilled poker player, he has deep knowledge of all live table games and gambling regulations in the US.

Twitter X

Alabama Conference Committee

In a significant development for the future of gambling in Alabama, legislation seeking to establish a state-run lottery and Las Vegas-style casinos is set to be debated in a conference committee. The decision comes after the state House of Representatives rejected changes made by the Senate to the proposed bills.

Bridging the Gap Between Two Bills

The conference committee, which will consist of three members each from the House and Senate, will seek to reconcile the differences between the two chambers’ versions of the gaming bills.

Rep. Chris Blackshear, the original sponsor of the House gaming package, acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating:

I think we have to identify what that middle ground is first because it’s such a distance between the two. They’re not even close bookends. So, we’ve got first to establish what that middle ground looks like and then have those conversations.

The House version of the bills, passed in February, would authorize a lottery, up to six commercial casinos, and allow the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the state’s only federally recognized tribe, to upgrade their electronic bingo resorts to full-fledged casinos with slot machines and table games.

Additionally, the House bills called for both retail and online sports betting and the possibility of a fourth tribal casino on non-sovereign land in the northern part of the state.

Senate Makes Several Amendments to Bills

However, the Senate made substantial changes to the House bills before passing them back to the lower chamber. The Senate version removed the provisions for sports wagering and commercial casinos while still allowing the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to negotiate a Class III gaming compact with the governor.

The Senate also maintained the creation of a state lottery and added historical horse racing (HHR) machines at Alabama’s four shuttered dog racetracks, with the potential for three additional pari-mutuel wagering locations that could also feature HHR machines.

The Path Forward

For the gaming bills to proceed to a public vote in November, they must gain three-fifths support in each chamber, even after the conference committee reaches a compromise. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter emphasized the importance of allowing Alabamians to have their say on the matter too when he spoke to reporters.

If the two bills are placed before voters, a simple majority would be sufficient to amend the Alabama Constitution and permit the proposed gaming activities. The conference committee’s work will be crucial in determining the final shape of the legislation and the future of gambling in the state.

As it stands, Alabama remains one of only four states without a lottery, commercial casinos, or sports betting, alongside Alaska, Hawaii, and Utah. The ongoing efforts to expand gambling in the state have the potential to generate significant revenue and bring Alabama in line with many other states in the country.

As lawmakers continue to navigate the complexities of the issue, the coming weeks will be pivotal in deciding the fate of the gaming bills and the possibility of a public vote on the matter.