Alabama House approves amendment that permits sports betting, requires further approvals

Another state got closer to legalizing sports gambling, and other forms of gambling, this week as the Alabama House of Representatives approved a measure (House Bill 151) that would allow for such activities in the state. Because the amendment is to the state constitution, it needed a three-fifths vote (63 votes) from the junior chamber to pass.

Ultimately, the measure passed by a 70-32 vote. The state house in Alabama is also now considering a second piece of legislation in the form of a bill (House Bill 152) to spell out the regulation and operation of casinos, lotteries and sports wagering in the state.

To get full approval and become law in the state, the amendment needs to pass through the Senate and then be approved by the voters of Alabama as a ballot initiative. If the measure moves through the Senate quickly, it’s expected to be on the ballot for the November general election.

Previously, Alabama voters rejected a lottery that the legislature had approved in 1999.

An analysis by the state’s Legislative Service Agency estimated that the proposed trio of gambling activities could generate nearly $1 billion in annual revenue: $492 million via casinos, $379 million from lotteries and $41 million via sports wagering.

The second bill, HB152, outlines the formation of an Alabama Gaming Commission and its powers over licensure and other regulation for operators in the state. It also addresses revenue allocations from gambling, with lottery money funneled to education and money from casinos and sports wagering going elsewhere.

All told, the legislation would allow for the licensing of up to seven casinos in the state with six already having designated locations in the state: Birmingham, Mobile County, Macon County, Greene County, Lowndes County and Houston County. A seventh casino will hinge on a potential agreement between the state and a local tribe, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Previous agreements mean the Poarch Creeks operate a trio of casinos already, and could add a fourth in the northeast part of the state as part of the new legislation.

There are still plenty of hurdles for these pair of bills to navigate, namely a Senate vote and passing muster with the voters of Alabama.

But at a time when sports wagering has caught fire nationwide and come to be one of the biggest shoulder industries on athletics, both professional and college, this is a major step for sports wagering becoming legal in one of the most college sports-crazed corners of the country.