House Bill 448 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip EnslerRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Alabama Lottery established; Alabama Lottery Corporation established to administer lottery; Tribal-State compact authorized; constitutional amendment

Summary

HB448 would amend Alabama’s Constitution to create an official state lottery administered by a public corporation and authorize a Tribal-State gaming compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

What This Bill Does

It would repeal the current prohibition on gambling by creating a state lottery run by a public corporation, with draw-based and instant games using paper, cardboard, or plastic tickets and no video lottery terminals; the state could participate in in-state and multi-state lottery games. It would require the Governor to negotiate a Tribal-State gaming compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to authorize certain gaming on tribal lands, with federal involvement in the review process. It would establish a funding framework where startup costs are paid from the Education Trust Fund (to be repaid from initial lottery revenues), net proceeds go into the Alabama Lottery Trust Fund, and ongoing revenues are allocated by a separate annual independent supplemental appropriation for prizes and operating costs.

Who It Affects

• Alabama residents who would be able to participate in the official state lottery if the constitutional amendment is approved by voters.
• The Poarch Band of Creek Indians and the state government, due to the proposed Tribal-State gaming compact and related regulatory and funding arrangements.

Key Provisions

• Establish official State Lottery administered by a public corporation (instrumentality of the state).
• Lottery may include draw-based and instant games; tickets must be paper, cardboard, or plastic unless required for multi-jurisdictional play; no video lottery terminals; may participate in multi-jurisdiction lotteries.
• Public corporation to operate and regulate the lottery; Legislature to set governance and related rules; appointments to the governing body may be made by state officers without regard to Article III.
• Net proceeds deposited into the Alabama Lottery Trust Fund and allocated annually via an independent supplemental appropriation bill; startup expenses funded from the Education Trust Fund with repayment from lottery revenues.
• Governor to negotiate and execute a Tribal-State gaming compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians under IGRA, authorizing appropriate Class III activities on trust lands, with federal review and approval as required.
• The compact terms would be limited to activities on trust lands; the state waives immunity for disputes under the compact in federal court, subject to conditions; off-trust private activities by Poarch are not prohibited by this section.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Gaming