MONTGOMERY — Six members of a House-Senate conference committee passed legislation creating a lottery and legalizing electronic gambling machines at seven locations across Alabama on Tuesday.
The constitutional amendment and enabling legislation would legalize seven "electronic gaming facilities" across the state, establish a lottery, and require the Governor to enter into a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
Sports betting isn't included in the constitutional amendment or bills.
The constitutional amendment prohibits all forms of gambling besides a state education lottery, electronic games of chance, traditional raffles, and traditional paper bingos. To become law, the constitutional amendment would have to be approved by 60% of the House and Senate. It would also have to be approved by a vote of the people on August 20, 2024.
"We think and hope that this will get the 63 votes out of the House. It’ll go there first for a vote and then if it passes come back up. We’ll have to get 21 (votes) in the Senate. If we’ll be able to get that, we’ll see," State Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) told reporters on Tuesday.
The bills weren't immediately online after passage by the conference committee.
The constitutional amendment would legalize so-called "electronic games of chance" at racetracks in Greene, Jefferson, Macon and Mobile Counties and bingo hall locations in Greene, Houston, and Lowndes Counties. Poarch Band of Creek Indians locations in Montgomery, Wetumpka, and Atmore would also be able to have the same offerings.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the compromise later today. However, a Senate source said a vote in the upper chamber today was unlikely.
The enabling legislation would also establish a gambling regulatory and enforcement commission.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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