Local lawmakers, citizens react to the end of the Alabama gambling bill

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – A plan to bring the lottery and casinos to Alabama is dead after the legislative session adjourned on Thursday.

The highly-debated gambling bill failed in the Senate by one vote. This furthers the 25-year stalemate on the issue of gambling in the state.

“Disappointment,” stated Senator Greg Albritton (R)- Atmore, expressing his frustration at the bill’s demise.

“This is a very controversial, difficult, complicated task of getting this accomplished. If it was easy, we would have done it long ago,” he added.

Sen. Albritton handled the package in the Senate but ended up voting against it.

The house passed the measure earlier in the session. The bill approved by the House would have allowed a lottery, sports betting, and up to 10 casinos in the state.

However, the Senate made some changes, producing a scaled-back version of the bill that kept the lottery but cut out sports betting and changed casino gambling to horse race betting.

The Senate and House worked to create a compromised bill, but Sen. Albritton says there are major reasons he couldn’t support it.

“The compromise completely left out, ignored, sports gaming. Sports gaming is an ever-growing, huge business in Alabama. Much of it is illegal and undercover. We just refuse to regulate it, to control it,” explained Sen. Albritton.

Then, he says he disagreed with the plan to expand Alabama’s 7 casinos.

“They expanded the 7 casinos that we’ve got- far beyond what they’re doing now- into almost full-blown casinos without requiring any new investment or anything else involved in that new expansion,” he said.

Finally, Sen. Albritton claims the scaled-back version of the bill restricted his constituents, the Poarch Creek Indians.

“Not only were they cut out from being a participant in this industry on a private basis- but they were restricted from ever being able to enter a compact to be able to find a path to that,” he stated.

Still, Sen. Albritton is asking voters to remain hopeful that the bill will pass in the future.

“Don’t worry- the problem’s not going away. We’re getting closer,” he added.

Meanwhile, Representative Barbara Drummond of Mobile voted in favor of the bill when it passed through the House.

“We got so close- one vote. I mean, that’s what’s so disappointing. It was one vote,” she said.

Rep. Drummond says Alabama missed out on funds that could have improved our state.

“It not only represented and gave people a right to vote, but it also would have provided healthcare for countless poor people in Alabama, a boost for education,” she said. Rep. Drummond has remained a long-time advocate for education.

FOX10 News asked some locals how they feel about it. Many say they’re relieved the bill didn’t pass, while others are disappointed.

“I think it could help out with education- that’s the good side of it. Obviously, there are some downsides to it, but I think the good outweighs the bad,” said Jake Dougherty.

“I’m from Mississippi and the roads are better. I can’t say the schools are better, but there’s income,” added Kelly Ward.

As for the bill’s outlook, Governor Ivey told reporters she does not plan on calling a special session for the gambling bill this year.

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