On Wednesday, a bill package that may result in gambling legalization in Alabama cleared a preliminary obstacle to being placed on the November ballot.
Both HB151 and HB152 will proceed, according to a vote by the House Committee on Economic Development and Tourism.
The proposed constitutional amendment, HB151, would bring the matter to a vote, and HB152 would carry it out. Ten casinos, sports betting, and a state lottery would all be permitted by the Act taken together.
Only one legislator voted against the bills, which were approved in committee with only minor revisions.
Rep. Allen Treadaway (R-Morris) stated that he does not want the state to provide incentives to unlawful operators and that he has some reservations about the way the bill establishes a bidding procedure for casinos.
“The state stands to have a windfall here if it’s done right,” Treadaway stated. “I can’t get past the fact that people would be rewarded who have continued to operate for years illegally and make millions. Open it up. Open bid, open it up and the state will gain from that.”
Before the measure moves to the House floor, Treadaway stated he intended to meet with Rep. Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City), the bill’s author, to discuss.
