Alabama Sports Betting Bill Culled in Committee

Betting Bill Fails to Get Past Alabama Conference Committee

By Lisa Spencer Senior Editor Updated: 18 May 2024

Lisa Spencer Senior Editor

As a Senior Editor at Betting.US, Lisa Spencer is a valuable member of our expert team. With a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics, Lisa is adept in gambling theory and analyzing odds. She contributes by writing online sportsbook reviews and finding competitive markets to help our readers make an informed choice.

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A Complex Legal Process

The legislative package, consisting of a constitutional amendment and enabling legislation, looked like it was going to succeed after a conference committee. However, as a result of a compromise, the proposal was stripped of its sports betting and full casino gaming provisions – both of which were originally included in the House version.

Instead, the final conference report would establish a state lottery, legalize electronic games of chance at seven pre-selected sites, and set the stage for a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

The bills easily cleared the House on Tuesday night but ran into opposition from senators on both sides of the aisle. A procedural vote to advance the constitutional amendment fell one vote short of the required 21-vote threshold, throwing the legislation into limbo. While it’s not officially dead, it looks highly unlikely that it will be approved.

Sports Betting Provisions Removed in Committee

The removal of the sports betting language from the final package marks a significant blow to industry stakeholders and many Alabama lawmakers who saw it as a core component of any gambling expansion. Rep. Chris Blackshear, the House sponsor of the legislation, told reporters that the conference committee never seriously considered keeping the sports betting provisions in the final report. He said:

It became clear pretty quickly that there wasn’t enough support in the Senate to include sports betting at this time. While I’m disappointed we couldn’t get it done this year, I’m hopeful that we can continue the conversation and build more consensus going forward.

With GOP senators divided on the sports betting issue and Democrats seeking concessions on issues like Medicaid expansion, finding a path to 21 votes simply wasn’t possible – and it looks unlikely that the required votes will be able to be found before the end of the session.

Lottery Remains in Play

Despite the setback with sports betting, Alabama lawmakers may still approve a state lottery before the session’s end. The same constitutional amendment that failed to advance on Tuesday could come up for another vote in the Senate in the coming days.

If approved by three-fifths of both chambers, the measure would go before voters in a special election on August 20. Alabama is one of only five states without a lottery, and previous efforts to establish one have failed nearly every year since 1999.

However, with time running short and other high-profile issues like prison construction still unresolved, the lottery approval is far from being a sure thing – and only time will tell as to whether it gets approved or not.