SB282 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg AlbrittonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Gaming, Alabama Education Lottery and Education Lottery Corporation estab.; Alabama Education Lottery and Gaming Commission established to license and regulate gaming; negotiation of gaming compact with Poarch Creek Indians required; const. amend.

Summary

The bill would amend Alabama's constitution to create an Education Lottery, establish a Gaming Commission to regulate gaming, and authorize the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to operate casino-style games at two initial sites (with two future sites) under a state compact, with licensing fees, taxes, and revenue sharing.

What This Bill Does

It would establish the Alabama Education Lottery Corporation to run the education lottery and direct proceeds to the Education Trust Fund after expenses. It would create the Alabama Gaming Commission to regulate casino-style games, bingo, charitable bingo, and pari-mutuel wagering at covered locations. Casino-style games could operate only at sites licensed to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians under a negotiated compact, starting with two sites and potentially two more via competitive bids; the Governor must negotiate in good faith and implement the laws in a special session within 30 days of ratification.

Who It Affects

• Poarch Band of Creek Indians and other licensed operators, who would be authorized to conduct casino-style games at designated sites under licenses, pay upfront and ongoing fees, and be regulated by the new commission.
• Alabama residents and local governments, who would see tax revenue distributed to a Gaming Trust Fund, the state General Fund, and county governments, plus potential economic and tourism impacts from gaming activity.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Education Lottery and the Alabama Education Lottery Corporation to run the lottery and directs proceeds to the Education Trust Fund after covering administrative and prize expenses.
• Creates the Alabama Gaming Commission to regulate casino-style games, bingo, charitable bingo, and pari-mutuel wagering at covered locations, including licensing and enforcement powers.
• Authorizes the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to operate casino-style games at two initial sites on lands held in trust, with a 25-year license and a required capital investment for the Jefferson County site; two additional sites would also be licensed, with competitive bids for future sites.
• Imposes a 25% tax on net gaming revenue for operators at covered locations, with a distribution of the tax revenue: 8% kept by the Commission, 10% to the Gaming Trust Fund, 80% to the General Fund, and 10% to the county where the operator is licensed.
• Requires the Governor to negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians for casino-style games on trust lands, and mandates a special legislative session within 30 days of ratification to pass implementing legislation.
• Establishes the Gaming Trust Fund to receive license fees, compacts, and net gaming revenue, and directs annual distributions to cover Commission expenses and per-county allocations.
• Provides for the creation and governance of the seven-member Alabama Gaming Commission, including terms, appointment by state leaders, diversity considerations, and conflicts of interest rules.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments