MONTGOMERY — On Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representatives voted to concur with the conference committee substitute bills legalizing an education paper lottery and electronic games of chance at specified locations while excluding the originally planned casino and sports betting provisions.
The new legislation would also require the governor to enter into a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PCI).
After months of debate, House and Senate conferees met at the tail end of the legislative session Tuesday and hammered out an agreement on the highly controversial gambling legislation.
Two bills are under debate. House Bill 151 (HB151) will repeal all constitutional amendments allowing gambling in certain parts of the state and remove the state's constitutional gambling prohibition. The other, House Bill 152 (HB152), now authorizes provisions legalizing electronic gaming in specific locations, a statewide education lottery, and a PCI compact for an unspecified location. HB152 no longer contains casino gaming and sports betting from the original.
The House handily passed both bills with the conference committee substitute Tuesday evening, while the Senate failed to reach the necessary 21 votes required to pass HB 151. The Senate then carried the bill over and may vote on it later this week.
State Rep. Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City), the bills' sponsor, presented the amended legislation before the House and asked members to agree to the proposed changes.
Blackshear said HB151 would still repeal all local constitutional amendments and prohibit all forms of gaming except a state education lottery, "electronic games of chance," traditional raffles and traditional paper bingo. It does not include sports betting or casino gaming provisions from the original.
HB151 would repeal the local gambling constitutional amendments effective Sept. 30, 2026, giving the gambling commission authority over the establishments until the amendments are repealed. The bill would also prohibit any future local constitutional amendments.
HB 151 also requires the governor to enter compact negotiations with PCI. The Constitutional amendment would have to be approved by a vote of the people on Aug. 20.
HB152, the enabling legislation, breaks gambling revenue between the Education Trust Fund (ETF) and the General Fund (GF). All the lottery proceeds would go into a supplemental appropriation through the ETF. Revenue through gaming and the PCI compact would go to the GF. All lottery proceeds will benefit education through last-dollar scholarships to two- and four-year higher education institutions, as well as dual enrollment and retiree bonuses.
The electronic games of chance would only be approved 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. Blackshear described the electronic games of chance as a "dealer-less casino" featuring "no cards, table, dice or dealers."
HB152 includes the establishment of the Alabama Gaming Commission, which consists of four members appointed by the Governor, two by the Speaker of the House (including a minority leader appointee), two by the Senate President Pro Tempore and one by the Lieutenant Governor. The commission will appoint an executive director.
It would also create an enforcement arm that is not administered under the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). Instead, the executive director will appoint a gaming enforcement officer to hire investigators, auditors, compliance officers and administrative staff. Those staff certified under the Alabama Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission will have arrest powers. Notably, the attorney general's office will not handle prosecutor responsibilities; those fall to the local district attorney.
House members generally supported the legislation, with many applauding Blackshear and State Reps Andy Whitt (R-Harvest) and Sam Jones (D-Mobile) for their work on it.
"What I appreciate more about this legislation and the efforts that you and your committee made is that you listened to the voices of the people," said State Rep. Ontario Tillman (D-Birmingham). "You heard the mandate of the people who are requesting gaming in the state of Alabama, particularly the lottery in the state of Alabama. To me, we are the people who are supposed to represent the people. We're the closest thing to the people in the House, and it's not about representing a few; it's not about representing some; it's about representing all. And that's our job."
State Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne) clarified with Blackshear that the new legislation would not place casinos in Baldwin County or along the beach, addressing the concerns of some recently made that observation.
Blackshear said the legislation prohibits the transfer of licenses from any previously mentioned locations to any other area in the state. He also stated that the PCI compact would only involve lands held in Trust before Feb. 6, 2024.
"The way we've logged it in now with the seven locations, the seven locations are actually named," Blackshear explained. "So, we took the language that was in the Senate-passed version and named them there. There is no transfer within that county, even outside that location. There is no transfer anywhere else in the state. There is no additional location attached for a compact. And the only way that another license could potentially ever come up, any additional type of game that could ever be played, the only way sports betting could ever be introduced is by another [Constitutional Amendment] coming through both bodies here in the House and Senate and being passed on another ballot by a vote of the citizens of Alabama."
The only House member to speak against the legislation was State Rep. Arnold Mooney (R-Indian Hills), who opined on the perceived adverse effects of gambling on society in general. Citing an article from the Lancet that referred to gambling as "a neglected public health issue," Mooney claimed that any normalization of Gambling would have deleterious effects for years to come.
"40 million Americans are experiencing harm caused by the greed of gaming in our nation," Mooney said. "Children are being harmed by a bombardment of gambling advertising like never before, normalizing them to the dangers of commercialized gambling and making them far more likely to develop problems later in life. U.S. families are on course currently to lose more than $1 trillion in personal wealth to commercialized gambling over the next six years, an average of at least $150 billion in lost wealth each year."
Both bills ultimately passed. HB 151 passed 72-29. HB152 passed 70-29-1.
"I'm proud that the House and Senate conferees were successful in finding a compromise on this very important issue," said House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville). "The legislation passed in the House today cracks down on illegal gambling by implementing strong, clear and enforceable laws. It ensures all lottery proceeds, which are projected to exceed $300 million annually, benefit education and education only. Most importantly, it allows the people of Alabama to vote on this issue for the first time in 25 years."
"The bottom line is there's no telling how many roads Alabama has paved or how many children Alabama has sent to college in neighboring states. I'm hopeful that the Senate will follow the House's lead and send this legislation to the governor."
A comprehensive list of the voting rolls on both bills can be found below.
HB151 (constitutional amendment)
“Yes” votes:
Cynthia Almond (R-Tuscaloosa)
Russell Bedsole (R-Alabaster)
Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City)
Barbara Boyd (D-Anniston)
Napoleon Bracy (D-Mobile)
Bryan Brinyark (R-Northport)
Chip Brown (R-Hollingers Island)
Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City)
Prince Chestnut (D-Selma)
Adine Clarke (D-Mobile)
Steve Clouse (R-Ozark)
Terri Collins (R-Decatur)
Danny Crawford (R-Athens)
Anthony Daniels (D-Tuscaloosa)
Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile)
Brett Easterbrook (R-Fruitdale)
Corley Ellis (R-Columbiana)
Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa)
Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery)
Bob Fincher (R-Woodland)
Berry Forte (D-Eufaula)
Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham)
Donna Givens (R-Loxley)
Jeremy Gray (D-Opelika)
Laura Hall (D-Huntsville)
Corey Harbison (R-Cullman)
Kenyate Hassel (D-Montgomery)
Travis Hendrix (D-Birmingham)
Jim Hill (R-Moody)
Frances Holk-Jones (R-Foley)
Rolanda Hollis (D-Birmingham)
Leigh Hulsey (R-Helena)
Thomas Jackson (D-Thomasville)
Sam Jones (D-Mobile)
Mike Kirkland (R-Scottsboro)
Marilyn Lands (D-Huntsville)
Kelvin Lawrence (D-Hayneville)
Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville)
Paul Lee (R-Dothan)
Craig Lipscomb (R-Gadsden)
James Lomax (R-Huntsville)
Joe Lovvorn (R-Auburn)
Rhett Marques (R-Enterprise)
A.J. McCampbell (D-Demopolis)
Patrice McClammy (D-Montgomery)
Mary Moore (D-Birmingham)
Parker Moore (R-Hartselle)
TaShina Morris (D-Montgomery)
Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville)
Marcus Paramore (R-Troy)
Phillip Pettus (R-Killen)
Chris Pringle (R-Mobile)
Neil Rafferty (D-Birmingham)
Rick Rehm (R-Dothan)
Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville)
Phillip Rigsby (R-Huntsville)
Chad Robertson (R-Heflin)
Patrick Sellers (D-Birmingham)
Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg)
Mike Shaw (R-Hoover)
Mark Shirey (R-Mobile)
Matt Simpson (R-Daphne)
Jeff Sorrels (R-Hartford)
Jerry Starnes (R-Prattville)
Ontario Tillman (D-Birmingham)
Curtis Travis (D-Tuscaloosa)
Tim Wadsworth (R-Arley)
Pebblin Warren (D-Tuskegee)
Andy Whitt (R-Harvest)
Ritchie Whorton (R-Owens Cross Roads)
Margie Wilcox (R-Mobile)
Debbie Wood (R-Valley)
“No” votes:
Alan Baker (R-Brewton)
Ron Bolton (R-Northport)
Jim Carns (R-Vestavia Hills)
Brock Colvin (R-Albertville)
Susan DuBose (R-Hoover)
Tracy Estes (R-Winfield)
David Faulkner (R-Birmingham)
Jennifer Fidler (R-Fairhope)
Danny Garrett (R-Trussville)
Mark Gidley (R-Hokes Bluff)
Matthew Hammett (R-Dozier)
Ben Harrison (R-Cartwright)
Steve Hurst (R-Munford)
Jamie Kiel (R-Russelville)
Bill Lamb (R-Tuscaloosa)
Arnold Mooney (R-Indian Springs)
Kenneth Paschal (R-Pelham)
Ben Robbins (R-Sylacauga)
Randall Shedd (R-Baileytown)
Van Smith (R-Prattville)
Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle)
David Standridge (R-Hayden)
Shane Stringer (R-Citronelle)
Troy Stubbs (R-Wetumpka)
Allen Treadaway (R-Morris)
Kerry Underwood (R-Tuscumbia)
Randy Wood (R-Anniston)
Matt Woods (R-Jasper)
Ernie Yarbrough (R-Trinity)
Non-votes and abstentions:
Reed Ingram (R-Pike Road)
Chris Sells (R-Greenville)
HB152 (enabling legislation)
“Yes” Votes
Cynthia Almond (R-Tuscaloosa)
Russell Bedsole (R-Alabaster)
Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City)
Barbara Boyd (D-Anniston)
Napoleon Bracy (D-Mobile)
Bryan Brinyark (R-Northport)
Chip Brown (R-Hollingers Island)
Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City)
Prince Chestnut (D-Selma)
Adine Clarke (D-Mobile)
Steve Clouse (R-Ozark)
Terri Collins (R-Decatur)
Danny Crawford (R-Athens)
Anthony Daniels (D-Tuscaloosa)
Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile)
Brett Easterbrook (R-Fruitdale)
Corley Ellis (R-Columbiana)
Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa)
Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery)
Bob Fincher (R-Woodland)
Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham)
Donna Givens (R-Loxley)
Jeremy Gray (D-Opelika)
Laura Hall (D-Huntsville)
Corey Harbison (R-Cullman)
Kenyate Hassel (D-Montgomery)
Travis Hendrix (D-Birmingham)
Jim Hill (R-Moody)
Frances Holk-Jones (R-Foley)
Rolanda Hollis (D-Birmingham)
Thomas Jackson (D-Thomasville)
Sam Jones (D-Mobile)
Mike Kirkland (R-Scottsboro)
Marilyn Lands (D-Huntsville)
Kelvin Lawrence (D-Hayneville)
Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville)
Paul Lee (R-Dothan)
Craig Lipscomb (R-Gadsden)
James Lomax (R-Huntsville)
Joe Lovvorn (R-Auburn)
Rhett Marques (R-Enterprise)
A.J. McCampbell (D-Demopolis)
Patrice McClammy (D-Montgomery)
Mary Moore (D-Birmingham)
Parker Moore (R-Hartselle)
TaShina Morris (D-Montgomery)
Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville)
Marcus Paramore (R-Troy)
Phillip Pettus (R-Killen)
Neil Rafferty (D-Birmingham)
Rick Rehm (R-Dothan)
Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville)
Phillip Rigsby (R-Huntsville)
Chad Robertson (R-Heflin)
Patrick Sellers (D-Birmingham)
Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg)
Mike Shaw (R-Hoover)
Mark Shirey (R-Mobile)
Matt Simpson (R-Daphne)
Jeff Sorrells (R-Hartford)
Jerry Starnes (R-Prattville)
Ontario Tillman (D-Birmingham)
Curtis Travis (D-Tuscaloosa)
Tim Wadsworth (R-Arley)
Pebblin Warren (D-Tuskegee)
Andy Whitt (R-Harvest)
Ritchie Whorton (R-Owens Cross Roads)
Margie Wilcox (R-Mobile)
"No” votes:
Alan Baker (R-Brewton)
Ron Bolton (R-Northport)
Jim Carns (R-Vestavia Hills)
Brock Colvin (R-Albertville)
Susan DuBose (R-Hoover)
Tracy Estes (R-Winfield)
David Faulkner (R-Birmingham)
Jennifer Fidler (R-Fairhope)
Danny Garrett (R-Trussville)
Mark Gidley (R-Hokes Bluff)
Matthew Hammet (R-Dozier)
Ben Harrison (R-Cartwright)
Leigh Hulsey (R-Helena)
Steve Hurst (R-Munford)
Jamie Kiel (R-Russelville)
Bill Lamb (R-Tuscaloosa)
Arnold Mooney (R-Indian Springs)
Kenneth Paschal (R-Pelham)
Ben Robbins (R-Sylacauga)
Randall Shedd (R-Baileytown)
Ivan Smith (R-Prattville)
Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle)
David Standridge (R-Hayden)
Troy Stubbs (R-Wetumpka)
Allen Treadaway (R-Morris)
Kerry Underwood (R-Tuscumbia)
Randy Wood (R-Anniston)
Matt Woods (R-Jasper)
Ernie Yarbrough (R-Trinity)
Non-votes and abstentions:
Reed Ingram (R-Pike Road)
Chris Sells (R-Greenville)
Berry Forte (D-Eufaula)
Chris Pringle (R-Mobile)
Shane Stringer (R-Citronelle)
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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