Published: March 20, 2021

Alabama lottery bill advances; Del Marsh says adding casinos still an option

The Alabama Senate Tourism Committee today approved a bill to allow voters to decide whether to start a lottery, and the sponsor of an earlier plan that included a lottery, casinos, and sports betting, said that proposal might return.

Republican Sen. Del Marsh of Anniston, chairman of the Tourism Committee, urged the committee to pass a lottery bill by Sen. Jim McClendon, R-Springville. The committee approved McClendon’s bill, as well as legislation tied to Marsh’s plan for a larger expansion of gambling, which fell two votes shy of approval in the Senate on March 9.

Marsh said he wants to give senators time to reconsider and possibly amend McClendon’s bill to add the casinos and sports betting. The Legislature is off for spring break next week. The Senate could revisit the issues after it returns on March 30.

Marsh said the Legislature needs to approve a bill this session so voters can make a decision on gambling, whether it’s a lottery only or a more expansive plan.

“No doubt people want to vote,” Marsh said. “In my opinion it’s at a mandate level.”

A lottery or any expansion of gambling in Alabama would require a constitutional amendment approved by voters.

Other Republican leaders in the Legislature have said say they’re hearing more than ever from people in their districts that they want a chance to vote on a lottery.

McClendon said he hears a strong consensus from people in his district to vote on a lottery. He has said he does not hear interest in casinos.

McClendon’s plan would set up an Alabama lottery and allow people to play multi-state games like Powerball and Mega Millions, as well as instant games. People could also play the lottery on their phones. The net revenue would be split evenly between education and the General Fund.

McClendon, asked about the possibility of the Senate changing his bill to add the casinos and sports betting, said he was going to try to stay focused on the purpose of his bill.

“My goal is to get a lottery so that people in my district don’t have to go to another state and buy a ticket,” McClendon said. “And in order to attain that, I may have to entertain some changes to this simple lottery bill. It’s all about the votes.”

McClendon said he would also try to gauge where the House of Representatives stands.

“Is the House more likely to pass the big omnibus bill? Or is the House more likely to pass the simple straightforward lottery bill that I’ve introduced?” McClendon said. “I don’t know. Until I know different, I’ll have to strongly suspect that House members will prefer a simple bill rather than a complicated bill. But I don’t know that to be a fact.”

Marsh said he wanted to keep options alive for either a lottery or the more comprehensive gambling plan. Senators voted 19-13 in favor of his lottery, casinos, and sports betting bill last week. But constitutional amendments require approval by three-fifths of senators and representatives, or 21 votes in the Senate.

“Since last week’s vote I’ve had members come to me asking about reconsideration, that some folks weren’t there,” Marsh said. “I said listen, what’s important is we get something out there for people to make a decision on.

“So all I’ve done today are keep all the options open. We would have had trouble getting a clean lottery bill out today because you have members on both sides of this issue. You have members that want to see a more comprehensive gaming package. And those who do prefer a simple lottery. All we did today was keep both alive.”

https://www.al.com/news/2021/03/lottery-legislation-is-back-in-alabama-senate.html