May 6, 2021
In the southern American state of Alabama and two pieces of legislation that would initiate a referendum on whether to legalize a lottery and license up to five more land-based casinos have reportedly taken another step towards being realized.
According to a report from the Associated Press news service, the pair of measures were approved by the Alabama House of Representatives’ Economic Development and Tourism Committee on Tuesday afternoon despite widespread criticism that they would designate ‘winners and losers’ in the race to win one of the proposed new casino licenses.
Ticking clock:
The move reportedly means that the brace of instruments could now be put to a full vote before the
The committee voted to send the bill to the floor of the House of Representatives.
The decision came after a public hearing in which opponents said the bill picks “winners and losers” by naming the nine casino locations. And proponents said it was time to give Alabama voters the opportunity to vote on gambling for the first time in two decades. If approved by lawmakers, the measure would go before voters in November 2022.
The bill would establish a state lottery. Casinos would be located at Victory Land dog track in Macon county, Greentrack dog track in Greene County, Mobile County Race Course in Mobile County and the Crossing at Big Creek in Houston County. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians would also have casinos at its three locations plus the final bid for a new north Alabama site in either Jackson or DeKalb counties.
Lottery, casino bill faces hearing, vote at session end Follow Us
Question of the Day
By - Associated Press - Tuesday, May 4, 2021
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A lottery and casino bill is getting a public hearing in the Alabama Legislature and could be decided in the final two days of the legislative session.
The House Economic Development and Tourism Committee has scheduled a public hearing on the bill for 11 a.m. Tuesday.
The Alabama Senate last month voted 23-9 for the proposed constitutional amendment to establish a state lottery and allow nine casino sites in the state. However, the measure is facing a tough vote and a ticking legislative clock in the House of Representatives.