Article Published: December 6, 2024, 10:03h.
Last Updated: December 6, 2024, 10:12h.
An Alabama Republican in the state Senate is cautioning proponents of expanding gambling that the chances of a bill gaining sufficient support in the upcoming legislative session are slim.
In May, state Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) was one of the 15 senators who opposed a gaming package compromise, preventing the issue from appearing on the presidential election ballot. Givhan remains skeptical about the changing landscape in favor of gambling within the legislature.
I don’t think the election changes anything,” Givhan said during an interview on “The Dale Jackson Show” on WVNN Radio. “Our new caucus rule says a majority of our caucus has to support a bill to go forward. We’re just not there. Not close.”
House Bill 151, which was part of the compromise, needed a three-fifths majority vote to advance to the ballot. The bill passed in the House of Delegates but was rejected in the Senate by a narrow margin.
2025 Gaming Prospects
The committee recommended a referendum to authorize a state lottery, electronic gaming machines, and a tribal gaming compact with the Poach Band of Creek Indians. The proposal excluded sports betting.
One of the committee members, state Sen. Greg Albritton, was the deciding vote against the proposal due to concerns about privileges for the Poach Indians. Albritton, who ran for Congress unsuccessfully, wanted to permit a casino in northern Alabama for the tribe.
The Poach Indians operate electronic bingo casinos in the southern part of the state, while the most populous cities are in the north.
Even though the House Republicans supported the gaming package in 2024, they are reluctant to lead the push in the upcoming year because of expected opposition in the Senate.
“The House has said repeatedly they’re not going to start the bill,” Givhan said. “I’m not saying we don’t talk about [gaming]. I just don’t see [a bill] coming forward this quadrennium.”
Alternative Strategies
For now, Alabama will likely remain without expanded gambling options. The Poach Indians recently acquired the Birmingham Racecourse to establish a presence in the state’s northern region.
The racecourse, as a parimutuel wagering facility, can offer historical horse racing machines. These machines resemble slots but base outcomes on past horse races rather than random chance.