Alabama's Efforts to Legalize Gambling Encounter Obstacles in the State Senate
Alabama's Gambling Legislation Hits a Roadblock
In a surprising turn of events, Alabama's bid to expand its gambling landscape has hit a snag. The bills, sponsored by Senator Greg Albritton, aimed to introduce a state education lottery, electronic games of chance, and various traditional gambling forms, but fell short in the Senate, one vote shy of the necessary 21 for passage [1][5].
The proposed bills, House Bill 151 and House Bill 152, passed in the House of Representatives on April 30, with votes of 72 to 29 and 70 to 29 respectively. However, the creation of the Alabama Gaming Commission, as proposed in HB152, remains unrealized [2].
Governor Kay Ivey decided not to call a special session on the gaming bills, pausing the push for legalized gambling in Alabama. The intricate dance of politics played a role in the bills' failure, as alliances and opinions can shift, leaving proposed laws to die on the legislative floor [3].
The failure of the bills marks another setback for gaming advocates in Alabama. Rep. Russell Blackshear, the author of the passed bills, aimed to revolutionize Alabama's gaming landscape, but his efforts have been thwarted for now [4]. The collapse of the bills underscores the complex and often contentious nature of gambling legislation in Alabama.
Sports betting was not included in the proposed legislation, and as of mid-2025, Alabama has not legalized sports betting or expanded commercial gambling beyond its existing limited tribal casino operations [1]. The future of gambling in Alabama is uncertain, as Alabamians and lawmakers ponder its place in the state.
The failure of these bills reflects the ongoing debate over gambling's place in Alabama. Gaming advocates are left to regroup and reconsider their strategy in a state that last saw gambling on the ballot in 1999. For updates and more information on this evolving story, you can turn to the Alabama Election Reporting Fellow for the USA TODAY Network, Victor Hagan [3].
References:
- Alabama Watchdog
- Montgomery Advertiser
- USA TODAY Network
- AL.com
- Yellowhammer News
The complexities of Alabama's politics and general-news landscape hindered the passage of bills designed to expand gambling, as the Alabama Gaming Commission proposal was left unrealized. Due to the intricate dance of politics, the bills, which aimed to introduce a state education lottery, electronic games of chance, and traditional gambling forms, failed to pass in the Senate.
