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Bill to let Alabamians vote on whether they want lottery, sports betting coming soon, senator says
['Roy S. Johnson', 'Rjohnson Al.Com']
al.com
Alabama State Senator Merika Coleman says she will drop a bill next week that will offer Alabama voters an opportunity to answer a question that’s loomed over the state for years: Do you want gambling?
The bill would authorize a statewide vote on a constitutional amendment allowing the governor to create a gambling commission and allowing lawmakers to begin drafting legislation that outlines the regulations of a lottery, gaming and sports betting.
“This bill simply gives us the ability to come back and actually establish gaming in the state of Alabama.
The Alabama Constitution prohibits lotteries, so a bill authorizing one or any expansion of legal gambling must allow for a constitutional amendment.
“The online betting pot is huge,” Coleman said, “and we’re missing out on all of that revenue.