SB282 Alabama 2020 Session

Under existing law, lotteries and gift enterprises are prohibited by Section 65 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901

This bill proposes an amendment to Section 65 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to establish the Alabama Education Lottery and the Alabama Education Lottery Corporation and require the Legislature to enact one or more general laws to provide for the duties, powers, authority, and composition of the corporation

The proposed amendment would also create the Alabama Gaming Commission to supervise the conduct of bingo, charitable bingo, pari-mutuel wagering, and casino-style games in the state

The proposed amendment would provide that casino-style games may be operated only pursuant to a compact between the state and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians on lands held in trust for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and, for an initial period of 25 years, at two additional sites, one in Jefferson County and one in Marshall, Jackson, or DeKalb County operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The proposed amendment would require an initial license fee of $250 million and a capital investment of at least $250 million for the additional sites. Upon expiration of the original license for the additional sites, two other sites would be authorized to conduct casino-style games pursuant to competitive bids with a minimum bid of $100 million for the license and a minimum bid of $250 million in capital improvements. The amendment would also impose a license fee determined by the commission on each operator of bingo or pari-mutuel wagering

The amendment would also impose a tax of twenty-five percent on the net gaming revenues of the gaming operations in the state except operations on lands held in trust for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians

The proposed amendment would require the Governor to negotiate in good faith a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to authorize casino-style games on lands held in trust for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and require the Legislature to meet in a special session within 30 days of the ratification of the amendment to enact implementing legislation

Proposing an amendment to Section 65 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to establish an Alabama Education Lottery and the Alabama Education Lottery Corporation; establish the Alabama Gaming Commission to regulate the conduct of bingo, charitable bingo, pari-mutuel wagering, and casino-style games; authorize the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to conduct casino-style games at two sites; authorize two future sites for casino-style games; impose license fees and capital investment requirements and a tax on certain gaming proceeds; provide for the operation of casino-style games by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians on trust lands pursuant to a compact; require the Governor to negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians; and require the Legislature to meet in special session to pass implementing legislation.