SB293 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg Albritton Senator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Gaming, Alabama Education Lottery and Gambling Commission, established, Alabama Education Lottery, established, casino-style games, sports betting, bingo, and charitable raffle authorized to be conducted subject to licensure and supervision by the commission, const. amend.

Description

Under Section 65 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, lotteries and gift enterprises are prohibited.

This bill would propose an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide for the limited authorization of gambling in the state to be supervised and regulated by a new Alabama Education Lottery and Gambling Commission.

The proposed amendment would establish an official state lottery to be known as the Alabama Education Lottery, which would consist solely of games approved and administered by the commission.

The proposed amendment would also allow casino-style games, sports betting, bingo, and raffles to be conducted subject to the rules and supervision of the commission. Casino-style games would be limited to in-person, on-premises play at one of a limited number of licensed casinos. Sports betting would be limited to in-person, on-premises play at a licensed casino or play through an online sports betting platform offered through a licensed casino.

The proposed amendment would limit the number of licensed casinos to five locations. A single license would be awarded pursuant to a competitive process at each of the following four sites: Greenetrack in Greene County; the Birmingham Race Course in Jefferson County; VictoryLand in Macon County; and the Mobile County Greyhound Racing facility in Mobile County. A fifth licensed casino in either DeKalb or Jackson County would be allowed as part of a compact to be negotiated between the Governor and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Additionally, the compact would address casino-style games and sports betting on Poarch Band of Creek Indians trust land.

The proposed amendment would authorize satellite casinos, in addition to licensed casinos, to offer a limited number of electronic gaming machines. A single satellite casino license would be issued in Houston County and Lowndes County.

The proposed amendment would require a selected casino operator to negotiate license fees or similar payments with the commission and would impose a tax of 20 percent on the net gambling revenues for casinos and sports betting. Proceeds of the Alabama Education Lottery would be appropriated for the establishment of a scholarship or other program to support educational attainment or fulfillment of the state's workforce needs.

Gambling revenues would be appropriated for distribution to cities and counties and would be authorized to be used for capital or other non-recurring expenses that serve a public purpose.

Up to one-half of one percent of lottery proceeds and gambling revenues could be appropriated for programs to address problem gambling.

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Subjects

Constitutional Amendments