A legislative session was held in Alabama, and it was decided to reject a bill to spread gambling in the state. The most offensive was that the bill failed by a margin of only one vote.
For the past 25 years, all gambling-related issues in the state have been deadlocked. and the last session was no exception. Senator Greg Allbritton, who supports the Republican party, is highly disappointed with the decision.
Allbritton also added that the issue of organizing and regulating gambling in the state is very much on the table. “If it were easy, we would have done it long ago,” the senator added.
During the last session, Albritton introduced a package of bills that included authorizing the lottery, sports betting, and opening up to 10 casinos in Alabama. However, the bills did not receive approval.
The Senate changed and introduced a shortened bill version, keeping the lottery but eliminating sports betting. The Senate also replaced casino gambling with betting on horse racing.
The House and Senate worked together to create a compromise bill. Allbritton stated that serious reasons prevented the initiative from being supported. The senator remained unhappy with the complete exclusion of sports betting. He said sports betting is a vast, growing business in Alabama that, for the most part, is done illegally, undercover. “We simply refuse to regulate and control it,” explained Allbritton.
The senator also noted that the shortened version of the bill significantly limited the interests of his constituents, the Poarch Creek Indians. First, they were privately excluded from participating in the industry. Second, the Indians were prevented from ever agreeing to be able to find their way into the gambling industry at all.
Allbritton asked voters not to give up hope that the bill would still pass. But even if it doesn’t, Alabama gambling enthusiasts won’t be upset. After all, they can play from their phones or computers from home. To start playing the most popular gambling game, roulette, it is enough to google or study gambling-related websites. One of the latter is european-roulette.org, which publishes up-to-date information about roulette casinos. To start playing, one only needs to choose a platform and go through a quick registration.
Barbara Drummond (Rep. Mobile) voted to favor the bill during the session. She was also unhappy that it fell just one vote short of approval. According to Drummond, Alabama missed an opportunity for its betterment. The development of the gambling industry in the state would have represented the people, given them a voice, and provided healthcare to many poor people. In addition, the bill’s passage would have boosted education in Alabama.
Residents’ opinions on Sessions’ decision were divided. Many were pleased that the bill did not pass. Some, however, were disappointed, noting that the development of gambling in the state would have had more positive effects than negative ones.
Governor Ivey has stated that there are no plans to call a special session to consider a gambling bill this year.
