Alabama Senators Approve Casino, Lottery, and Sports Betting Bill

Alabama senators have approved legislation that will allow voters to decide whether or not the state will have a lottery, casinos, and sportsbooks.

The approval of the constitutional amendment follows the rejection of a similar bill in early February.

The bill, introduced by Sen. Jim McClendon, passed by a vote of 23-9 and will now go to the house for a final vote. If passed by the house, the state electorate will have their say on the matter in the November 2022 general election.

The original rejected bill made no provisions for casinos but after much discussion, senators agreed to move forward with an amended bill that allowed for the opening of six casinos.

Speaking of the legislation going before the house for a vote, Sen. McClendon said:

“I have confidence that the House is going to take this opportunity. We’ve been waiting for it for a long time. We’ve been haunted by this issue of gambling in Alabama. Ever since I’ve been here, it’s been an issue. Well, it’s time we got it resolved. And I think the Senate has certainly made a major first step in doing so.”

David Burke

London based reporter covering all aspects of the global regulated and unregulated land-based and online gambling industry - including business news, sports-betting, casinos, poker & regulation