A Closer Look At Proposed Gambling, Lottery Packages
By John Allen Nichols
Agriculture Counsel
As the Alabama Legislature prepares to return from spring break on Tuesday, both the House and Senate now have gambling legislation ready to be brought to the floor for a vote. The House package, HB501 and HB502, was favorably reported from the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee. The Senate Package, SB293 and SB294, was favorably reported from the Senate Tourism Committee.
Each of the bill packages contains a constitutional amendment to authorize gambling, with subsequent legislation to provide details about the administration and types of gambling.
When the Legislature reconvenes, pending gambling legislation could be brought to the floor in both chambers. HB501 and HB502 would authorize a “lottery only” system, and SB293 and SB294 would authorize multiple forms of gambling. It is vitally important Federation members contact both their senators and their representatives and encourage them to vote "no" to these bills.
The House Package purports to authorize a “lottery only.” However, it is important to note the package would actually authorize a lottery and three casinos. Once a state authorizes a form of Class III gaming (a lottery), tribal nations are authorized by federal law to engage in all forms of Class III gaming on tribal land. Therefore, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians could begin operating full-fledged casinos at their current sites.
Additionally, while the House Package creates a “Gaming Commission,” that commission can only investigate crimes related to lottery laws. This means other gambling enterprises, e.g. racetracks, bingo halls, illegal casinos, will remain unregulated and unaffected by the Gaming Commission.
Notably, neither the House nor Senate gambling packages contain political contribution prohibitions. This means gambling interests, which possess a nearly unlimited amount of capital, could pour endless amounts of money into influencing the Alabama Legislature.
Alabama Farmers Federation has a longstanding policy of opposing gambling in all forms and continues to oppose the expansion of gambling in the state. The Federation thanks legislators who have taken a stand against gambling and encourages Federation members to talk with their legislators often and encourage them to vote "no" on both the House and Senate gambling packages.
