Had the bills passed, voters would have gotten their first chance to decide if they’d like to authorize sports betting in Alabama.

Most recently, State Senators introduced two bills ( SB 293 and SB 294) that would have put Alabama sports betting on the November 2022 ballot. In addition, pro-gambling lawmakers have shown no signs of slowing their efforts to bring Alabama online sports betting in from the black market, regulate it, and tax it.Īnd as neighboring states like Mississippi and Tennessee legalize sports betting, Alabama lawmakers must decide if they’re content to let residents near the borders generate tax revenue for other states. None have made it through the legislative process to become law, but they are indications of changing attitudes in a traditionally anti-gambling state. Lawmakers have introduced bills to legalize sports betting in Alabama each year since 2019. McGregor said in a release, “the time is now here and we are pleased that hundreds of our people will have a new job and VictoryLand will be generating a badly needed shot in the arm for Tuskegee and this entire region of Alabama.Legal sports betting in Alabama seemed like a long shot just a few years ago, but the tide is beginning to turn. “While it has taken longer than we hoped,” Mr.

Bentley acquiesced, and on Tuesday, casino boss Milton McGregor officially turned the lights back on. VictoryLand’s reopening has been expected since Gov. He repeatedly affirmed his opposition to gambling, but today has decided to actively encourage it by rescinding and repealing the very first executive order he made as governor.” He vowed to reject Medicaid expansion, yet now seems set to embrace it. He pledged ‘no new taxes,’ and then fought for historic tax increases. “Since that time, without an electorate to face in the future, the governor has busied himself breaking promises he made to the people of Alabama. “Today’s action by the governor merely formalizes the breaking of a promise that began shortly after his reelection,” an Alabama Policy Institute spokesperson told Yellowhammer at the time.

Some conservatives expressed dismay at the governor’s decision. “(R)ecent judicial rulings have raised concern with the unequal enforcement of Alabama’s criminal laws, including gambling laws, against individuals and businesses.” “(T)he State of Alabama has expended immense resources for the enforcement of Alabama’s anti-gambling laws, to date, more than nine million dollars,” Gov.

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