Five Democratic House representatives have sponsored the latest Alabama sports betting bill, but without the requisite support in the Senate, it will be all for naught.
Déjà Vu
Last year, an Alabama sports betting measure emanating from the House was narrowly struck down in the Senate, which understandably left a bitter taste in those sponsors’ mouths. So much so, that several members of the House stated any sports betting measure this year would have to come from the Senate before House members would act.
Representative Russell Blackshear, who sponsored last year’s bill, said, “Any gaming legislation in the 2025 session must originate in the Senate. If the Senate does choose to take up a gaming package and they pass something and send it to the House, then and only then will we in the House engage and determine how we move forward.”
House Reps Introduce HB 490
But things haven’t quite worked out that way, as five members of the Alabama House of Representatives have drafted HB 490, a sports betting and lottery bill, as well as a framework for electronic games of chance. The measure is co-sponsored by Democrats Rep. Jeremy Gray, D-Opelika, Rep. Ontario Tillman, D-Bessemer, Rep. Prince Chestnut, D-Selma, Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa., and Rep. Travis Hendrix, D-Fairfield.
The bill calls for a 10% tax on sportsbook revenues and the creation of the Alabama Gaming Commission. Those taxes would be split as follows: 40% to the state general fund, 40% to an Education Trust Fund, and 20% to an NIL Trust Fund.
Alabama is one of only five states without a state lottery, but should this bill be approved and sent to the voters for a special election in September, that could very well change. However, whether this iteration can gain the necessary traction in the Senate is still very much in doubt, as it is eerily similar to the scenario last year with the upper chamber holding all the cards.
PCI Compact
Senator Greg Albritton is a staunch proponent of bringing sports betting to the Alabama masses, but in an ironic twist, he voted against last year’s gaming package sent over from the House because there was no mention of including the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PCI) in the measure.
Therefore, Albritton has drawn up his own proposal, which includes negotiations between the state and the PCI to enter into a compact agreement. His bill also includes a state lottery, Class II electric gambling at six racetracks in the state, and sports betting with all revenues taxed at 24%.
Senate Vote Math Remains Dicey
However, the House bill is still very much in the mix, but Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston believes getting the required 21 votes in the Senate could be one or two votes short, just like last year.
“Just to recap where we were last year: We came down, we left the eighth floor with 21 votes out of our caucus meeting,” he told the Business Council of Alabama this week. “We came downstairs, we got on the floor, [and] we ended up with 20 votes on the [Senate] floor. Since then, Sen. Reed has resigned to become Secretary Reed. He was a ‘yes,’ so all of a sudden that’s 19 if you take everybody we had last year.
“I don’t know where we get the votes at. I certainly don’t want to go in with 21 again. I want to have an extra one in my pocket this year, so I’m not looking for two; I’m looking for three. Sen. Albritton has been working the votes. I just don’t know where it comes from, to be honest with you.”
Alabama’s legislative session runs until May 15th.
