MONTGOMERY — Members of the Senate Tourism Committee on Tuesday briefly met without voting on House gambling legislation before recessing to continue private negotiations.
The House passed comprehensive gambling legislation, including a bill and a constitutional amendment that would create a statewide lottery, sports betting, and set up a process for up to seven casino licenses to be issued by the state. If passed by the Legislature, the constitutional amendment would be voted on in the November general election.
However, the legislation hasn't yet received a vote in the Senate Tourism Committee. The committee held a public hearing on the House gambling package last week.
SEE ALSO: Poarch Band of Creek Indians compact, lottery remain in revised gambling legislation in Senate
A draft of the Senate's substitute amendment shared with 1819 News recently includes a statewide lottery and a requirement that the Governor negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Sports betting or other new casino licenses aren't included in the Senate's draft amendment. The amendment would be voted on September 10 in a special election in the revised Senate plan.
Senate Tourism Committee Chairman State Sen. Randy Price (R-Opelika) said he expected the committee would meet again later on Tuesday.
"Our goal is for the differences that are being worked on, they'll come to an agreement and that agreement will be before the day is out. It's just several pieces of the legislation that there's some differences. It's better I think at the present time for everybody to sit down that has an issue to meet with the sponsor and work on trying to resolve this," Price told reporters after the meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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