Alabama to discuss lottery proposals later this week

Lottery proposals in Alabama will get their first hearings in a legislative committee this week, according to the bill sponsor via The Bellingham Herald.
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Lottery proposals in the state of Alabama will get their first hearings in a legislative committee this week, according to the bill sponsor via The Bellingham Herald.

Republican Senator Del Marsh, who chairs the Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee, said the committee will discuss lottery bills when it meets on Wednesday.

Some lawmakers are seeking to resurrect the issue of a state lottery in the shadow of Marsh’s gambling proposal defeat last week that would have allowed a lottery and multiple casinos in the Yellowhammer State.

Republican Senator Jim McClendon introduced a new bill immediately following the rejection of a proposal to start a lottery and allow up to 10 casinos in the state, keeping the idea of a state lottery alive in Alabama for now.

Alabama is one of five states in the US without a state lottery, and lottery bills in the past have failed after getting submerged in the larger issue of gambling.

Any gambling proposal needs to be approved by three-fifths of lawmakers and a majority of state voters. Marsh’s proposal fell two votes short of the 21 needed to get the proposed constitutional amendment through the 35-member Alabama Senate.

In his proposal last week, Marsh suggested using lottery revenue for college scholarships and other education needs.

The Legislative Services Agency estimates a state lottery would generate $194-$279m annually for college scholarships awarded on a mix of need, merit and workforce needs in Alabama.