SB333 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Scott Beason

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Gambling activities, including lotteries, gift enterprises, bingo, pari-mutuel wagering, or other games of chance, prohibited, any proposed constitutional amendment authorizing gambling required to be subject to statewide vote, Section 65 (Section 65, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended), am'd., Amendments 386, 387, 413, 440, 506, 508, 542, 549, 550, 565, 569, 599, 600, 612, 674, 692, 732, 743, and 744, Constitution of Alabama of 1901, repealed, const. amend.

Summary

SB333 would ban gambling in Alabama, require statewide votes for any future gambling amendments, and repeal existing gambling-related amendments.

What This Bill Does

It amends the constitution to say the Legislature cannot authorize any gambling activities and that such activities are illegal, with laws to further prohibit them. It defines what counts as a game of chance and includes lotteries, gift enterprises, bingo, pari-mutuel wagering, and class II/III gaming, while excluding legitimate contract-based transactions. It requires any proposed constitutional amendment that would allow gambling to be decided by statewide vote and repeals numerous prior gambling-related amendments; it also tightens rules on sweepstakes and applies criminal gambling laws to illegal sweepstakes.

Who It Affects

• Residents and consumers in Alabama: gambling activities would be illegal unless changed by a future statewide vote, and any new gambling changes would require statewide approval.
• Businesses and organizations involved in gambling or sweepstakes (e.g., lottery operators, bingo and pari-mutuel venues, sweepstakes sponsors): their activities could be prohibited or restricted, with potential penalties and the repeal of prior gambling amendments.

Key Provisions

• Section 65 is amended to prohibit the Legislature from authorizing any gambling activity (lotteries, gift enterprises, games of chance, pari-mutuel wagering, bingo, class II/III gaming) and to declare such activity illegal; the Legislature must pass laws to prohibit these activities.
• Defines a game of chance and lists activities included (lotteries, gift enterprises, pari-mutuel wagering, bingo, class II/III gaming) and exceptions for genuine contracts under contract law.
• Requires any proposed constitutional amendment authorizing gambling to be decided by a statewide vote.
• Repeals Amendments 386, 387, 413, 440, 506, 508, 542, 549, 550, 565, 569, 599, 600, 612, 674, 692, 732, 743, and 744 to the Alabama Constitution.
• Part III sets sweepstakes rules: illegal to operate or sponsor if the operator is primarily engaged in gambling or if payouts exceed 1% of gross receipts or 1% of total annual expenses; criminal gambling offenses apply to illegal sweepstakes.
• Part V requires any proposed gambling amendment to be decided by statewide vote, with description language for ballot purposes.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments