HB471 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Craig Ford

Independent

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Lottery, established, distribution of funds to Lottery Trust Fund for Medicaid Agency, Alabama Lottery Corporation established to implement, certain games operated by Native Americans authorized at locations licensed by pari-mutual racing commissions, under certain conditions, casinos prohibited, Sec. 65, Constitution of Alabama of 1901 am'd., const. amend.

Summary

HB471 would put a constitutional amendment before voters to create an Alabama Lottery run by a new Alabama Lottery Corporation, fund Medicaid with lottery proceeds, and ban casinos.

What This Bill Does

It proposes establishing the Alabama Lottery and an Alabama Lottery Corporation to run and regulate it, plus a Lottery Trust Fund to hold proceeds. Net lottery proceeds would first cover the lottery's administrative costs and prizes, then be deposited to the Lottery Trust Fund and allocated to the State General Fund for use in programs within the Alabama Medicaid Agency. The Legislature could pass general laws to implement the amendment, the measure would prohibit casino gambling, and it allows agreements with other jurisdictions for operating or promoting games. Existing pari-mutuel betting, nonprofit bingo, and certain Native American gaming arrangements would remain governed by current law.

Who It Affects

• Alabama voters and residents: they would vote on the amendment; if approved, the state would operate a licensed lottery and use proceeds to support Medicaid programs.
• Alabama Medicaid Agency and Medicaid programs: they would receive funds from the Lottery Trust Fund, allocated annually to the State General Fund for Medicaid-related programs.

Key Provisions

• Establishes an Alabama Lottery and an Alabama Lottery Corporation to administer and regulate the lottery; general law would provide details.
• Creates a Lottery Trust Fund; net proceeds first pay lottery administration and prizes, then funds are deposited for disbursement to support Medicaid programs.
• Allocates monies from the Lottery Trust Fund annually to the State General Fund for use in programs within the Alabama Medicaid Agency.
• Prohibits casino gambling in the state; limits the lottery to games approved by the Alabama Lottery Corporation; prohibits direct or indirect casino gambling.
• Allows the Alabama Lottery Corporation to enter reciprocal agreements with other jurisdictions for operation and promotion of permitted games.
• Authorizes the Legislature to implement the amendment through enabling general laws; validates related acts during the same session as appropriate.
• Does not affect existing pari-mutuel betting, nonprofit bingo, or certain Native American gaming authorized under federal law and state arrangements.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments