Alabama voters will likely not have an opportunity to vote on a lottery or any other type of gambling on the November 2022 ballot.
The sponsors of competing efforts in the House and Senate, respectively, pulled their bills from consideration following Tuesday caucus meetings.
In the House of Representatives, State Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollingers Island) sponsored House Bill 502 (HB502), which proponents say was a "simple" lottery bill.
It advanced out of committee but stalled beyond that.
"We have a good bill, but the clock was against us," Brown said to 1819 News late Tuesday. "There is just not enough time to get it through the House and Senate with six days remaining in this session. This is an issue we need to address next session, and I support the right of the people to vote on the lottery."
State Sen. Greg Albritton's (R-Atmore) Senate Bills 293 (SB293) and 294 (SB294) took a comprehensive approach.
The offerings included in the Albritton proposal were a lottery, new casinos, sports betting and a state gaming commission.
Albritton told 1819 News once the news that House Republicans had decided in their caucus meeting they would not take action on gambling in the remaining seven days of the session, he anticipated that his effort would suffer a similar fate.
"I could see the handwriting on the wall," Albritton said late Tuesday.
The Escambia County Republican criticized his colleagues in the lower chamber for punting.
"This is the third time the House has failed," Albritton said. "Three times -- three times, they have failed to deal with any gambling issue."
Albritton said he was immediately approached by four of his senate colleagues, who he described as "hard nos," on gambling, interested in a possible effort in 2023. He said he was unsure of what the future held in store for gambling but warned not dealing with it in the immediate future would result in more gaming within the state.
"We have proven we have no interest in restricting gaming at all," Albritton said. "It is going to continue to grow and expand."
Albritton insisted the votes were there, but it was the "system" preventing passage.
"I have the votes in the Senate to pass a gaming bill," he added. "I believe the votes are in the House."
To pave the way for any gambling or lottery proposal, the prohibition of lotteries and gambling in the Alabama Constitution of 1901 would have to be repealed.
Such an effort requires a three-fifths vote of both chambers of the Alabama Legislature to get it on a ballot for an up-or-down vote by the citizens of Alabama.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com.
