Committee advances lottery bill, keeps casino issue alive
KIM CHANDLER, Associated Press
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) An Alabama Senate committee on Wednesday advanced a lottery bill as lawmakers try to get the issue of gambling, with or without casinos before state voters for the first time since 1999.
The Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee approved a lottery proposal sponsored by Republican Sen. Jim McClendon of Springville. However, Tourism Committee Chairman Del Marsh described the bill as a vehicle for negotiations and said lawmakers might revive the issue of casinos along with the lottery debate. The committee also approved other legislation that would set up a gaming commission to regulate casinos.