Last week, during a press conference unveiling a comprehensive gambling bill and constitutional amendment, State Reps. Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City), Andy Whitt (R-Harvest), Sam Jones (D-Mobile) and State Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) touted polling data from KAConsulting showing broad support for their effort.
The poll results, initially unveiled the morning before the gambling bill conference, showed that among 405 registered Alabama voters, 91% support allowing the people to vote on gaming, with 74% supporting a regulatory gaming bill and 89% supporting making gaming facilities pay state taxes.
"Let the people decide," KAConsulting's Kellyanne Conway said at the event, according to Yellowhammer News. "Seventy-four percent of voters statewide said that they favor consideration of – that's everything from sports betting slots, casinos to lottery – the whole gamut. But most importantly, they favor having the choice."
One state lawmaker is not convinced, however.
During an appearance on Huntsville radio's WVNN, host Dale Jackson asked State Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) if he was buying the poll.
"No," he replied. "The people I talk to come in and they've been very specific. They want a lottery. They want to vote on a lottery. Almost all this stuff is text. I mean, I got some on text that even came to me, you know, that's part of their campaign. It's, 'Would you be mad if your representative didn't allow you to vote on the lottery?' Well, they don't mention everything else."
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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