Senate Committee Approves Lottery Bill
A Senate committee has approved lottery legislation aimed at letting Alabama join multi-state games such as Powerball.
The Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee on Wednesday approved the proposed constitutional amendment by a 3-2 vote. However, the bill is expected to face opposition if it makes it to a floor vote.
Alabama is one of a few states without a lottery. Republican Sen. Paul Sanford’s proposal would change the Alabama Constitution so Alabama could join multi-state lotteries. Voters would have to approve the idea.
Sanford said Alabamians should decide if they want a lottery. The legislative fiscal office estimates it would raise $45
million annually.
Sen. Bobby Singleton says he was concerned changing gambling law could allow the Poarch Creek Indians to have table games and a gambling monopoly.
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