During Friday's broadcast of Alabama Public Television's "Capitol Journal," State Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Range) downplayed the prospects of a gambling bill making it through the Alabama Senate this session.
Albritton, whose district includes the Poarch Band of Creek Indians reservation, said despite the appearance of a detente between the disparate groups involved in Alabama's decades-long gambling saga, there was not enough support among his Senate colleagues.
"I would have a bill today dropped if I had 21 votes in the Senate," he said. "I don't have 21 votes in the Senate. I've got to have 21 votes in the Senate to move this along. And keep in mind now, last week, before Sunday's Super Bowl, bets were being made in the State House, I'll say it that way, on the upcoming Super Bowl. Bets were being made. I think Jalen Hurts made a lot of money for people in Alabama in that win."
"[T]his, in my opinion, Alabama has a moral obligation to take control of this industry and to regulate it, to protect the public," Albritton added. We have that obligation, and yet we can't seem to get 21 votes to take this in and to control it."
Albritton also dismissed the relevance of PCI's recent purchase of the Birmingham Racecourse, which has led some to speculate a deal was in the works that would enable a bill's passage.
SEE ALSO: Poarch Band of Creek Indians making another gambling push after acquiring Birmingham Racecourse
"It doesn't seem to. I can't seem to get my 21 votes. And that has been discussed," he explained. "That has been investigated, if you will, as to how that would change. I haven't seen a change. I've got about two or three votes shy in the Senate to get this done."
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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