The authors of the sweeping gambling bill considered in the last session reported that the issue remains open and continues to be debated. Currently, many aspects of the bill require additional discussions, while lawmakers are confident that by the end of 2025, they will be able to achieve all their goals.
Illegal gambling will not go away.
“This problem is not going anywhere,” said Sen. Greg Allbritton (Republican, Atmore), commenting on illegal gambling in the state. “The only way to impact the situation is to get this market under control to protect citizens and capitalize on it economically.”
Albritton initially supported the bill in the Senate but ultimately voted against it. After the initiative failed last year, he said it would be difficult to find a legislator to champion a comprehensive bill again. “We tried to cover the whole spectrum, from a simple lottery to comprehensive regulation of the industry, but we couldn’t get enough support in both chambers,” the senator explained.
In the House of Representatives, the bill was promoted by Sam Jones. He said he was willing to revisit the debate if the opportunity arose. “When the document reached the Senate, there was a lively debate,” Jones noted. Not everyone agreed with its provisions, so it never came up for a vote. Ultimately, voters didn’t even get a chance to express their opinions.
Poarch Creek Tribe and its impact
Jones emphasized that engagement with stakeholders, including the Poarch Creek Indian Community, is needed to move the bill forward. Political analyst Steve Flowers said purchasing the Poarch Creek racetrack and casino in Birmingham may indicate preparation for possible changes. The move shows strategic calculation. If Poarch Creek supports the legalization of casinos, the process will move faster. However, the initiative is unlikely to pass without their approval, even if the governor has the political will.
According to Flowers, the Poarch Creek Tribe significantly influences gambling legislation. Birmingham will be a key point if the state is serious about legalizing casinos.
It is worth noting that scandals related to gambling are not only in Alabama. Recently, it became known that the residents of Coney Island protested against the construction of casinos in this part of Brooklyn.
However, most gambling enthusiasts do not need to visit land-based establishments. Many simply play online from their computers or phones. The situation is similar in neighboring Canada, as according to TwinspinCA, there are dozens of popular international online casinos operating there. Many of them view the markets of these two countries collectively and promote their brands on both sides of the border.
Will there be any new bills?
House member Andy Whitt (Republican, Harvest), who was also involved in drafting the bill, said the House is ready to support the initiative. At the same time, he admitted that new versions of the law may be proposed, but he is not involved in their preparation.
