Lottery and gambling legislation could be on tap again in the Alabama Legislature in the 2025 session.
A recent changing of the guard in Senate leadership likely doesn’t change the prospects for approval of a gambling and lottery package in the 2025 session, according to State Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville).
During an appearance on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5's "The Jeff Poor Show" on Wednesday, State Rep. Mark Shirey (R-Mobile), a proponent of the failed effort, acknowledged the hurdles that would have had to be overcome for success.
Wind Creek Hospitality, owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, and the McGregor family, owners of Birmingham Race Course and Casino and Victoryland Casino announced on Monday that they have entered into an agreement under which Wind Creek will acquire the Birmingham Race Course.
The Poarch Creek Indians recently hired the high-powered Fine Geddie lobbying firm ahead of the 2025 session.
Members of the Pelham City Council unanimously on Monday declined to revoke the business licenses of two bars allegedly offering illegal gambling to customers.
The Alabama Legislature tackled several hot-button issues during the 2024 session, but none caused more chaos than a package of gambling bills that sought to legalize and regulate gambling in the state.
State Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) addressed the Alabama Republican Party’s resolution to oppose the expansion of gambling, immigration concerns and controversy surrounding the Alabama Department of Veteran Affairs during the North Baldwin County Republican Women’s meeting Tuesday.
The Alabama Republican Party overwhelmingly voted to oppose the expansion of gambling on Saturday at its summer business meeting.
H.R.6180 is pending in the U.S. House of Representatives. The purpose of this bill is to increase lands held in trust by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. If that happens, it will result in expanding Indian gambling activities in Alabama.
During an appearance on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5's "The Jeff Poor Show" on Tuesday, State Senate President Pro-Tem Greg Reed (R-Jasper) applauded the House for its push, noting more was "accomplished this session" than in prior attempts.
Following the Alabama Senate's failed vote on a conference committee deal on a comprehensive gambling bill, some House members have publicly expressed frustration with their colleagues in the upper chamber.
The Alabama Legislature will likely reconsider gambling legislation in 2025 similar to the bill that failed to pass by one vote in the Senate last month, according to State Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman).
State Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest) recently spoke on the legislature’s failure to advance a comprehensive gambling package, expressing disappointment at the Senate for the legislation’s eventual stalling in the upper chamber.
Debate over various gambling proposals took place throughout the 2024 legislative without any gambling legislation passing both chambers.
Gambling dominated both chambers and ultimately failed by one vote. Still, it cast a long shadow on the proceedings and led to several promising bills dying on the vine. Despite that, the session did have some big wins.
Parents and reform advocates are outraged that instead of taking steps to protect children from potentially harmful material, the state legislature instead prioritized a gambling bill that got lost in political gamesmanship.
During his weekly appearance on Huntsville radio WVNN's "The Dale Jackson Show," State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) reacted to the public frustration from gambling proponents.
As the hangover from the 2024 legislative session lingers, some members are speaking out about this year's failed comprehensive gambling effort now that the legislature has adjourned sine die.
State Rep. Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City) is not shying away from blaming the Senate for its inability to advance multiple iterations of the comprehensive gambling package during the legislative session.
Auburn Police arrested Rifat Hassan for conspiracy to promote gambling and possession of a gambling device on Tuesday.
Any form of legalized gambling in Alabama will have to wait at least a year, if not longer, after the Legislature declined to pass so-called comprehensive gaming legislation during this year's legislative session.
During Friday's broadcast of Huntsville WVNN's "The Dale Jackson Show," State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) lamented that the ongoing battle to pass a gaming package made things "not very productive" in either chamber to pass other legislation.
After a bitter and contentious battle in the legislature over a proposed gambling package that ultimately died in the Senate, House leadership has no interest in pursuing the issue in the next session.
The 2024 legislative session ended on Thursday without the Senate taking another vote on a gambling constitutional amendment developed by a conference committee last week.
The Alabama House of Representatives closed out the 2024 regular legislative session Thursday after briefly holding up the Education Trust Fund budget in hopes of securing a compromise on the now-dead gambling package.
Legislation creating a corporation governing the Alabama Farm Center project in Jefferson County stalled on Tuesday after it didn’t receive enough support from House members on a conference committee.