To be or not to be? Alabama gambling debate continues

The conversation around legalized gambling in Alabama continues as voices on both sides of the debate take to the internet to present their views, according to an 1819 News local report.  

The Petroleum & Convenience Marketers of Alabama started running ads in favor of a legal market on social media this week, the local report said. The group has asked lawmakers to “support your right to vote on a State Lottery.”

A social media page called Give Alabama a Voice has petitioned Alabama residents to “Tell Montgomery YOU want the chance to vote on an Alabama Lottery!”

The page also stated, “We’ve never been closer!!! Here in 2025, we have the momentum to vote on an Alabama Lottery, giving YOU the chance to participate in billions of dollars in lottery winnings. PLUS, Alabama gets to keep its share of the lottery revenue we are currently giving away to other surrounding states. This money will help our schoolchildren and build roads without additional taxes.”

The Sports Betting Alliance stated in one of its ads, “Legalizing online sports betting would protect people against predatory, offshore betting sites and generate tens of millions in new tax revenue. Legal online sports betting would generate between $65 and $90 million in NEW annual tax revenue for Alabama.”

However, opposing voices have pushed back online as well, urging people to consider the “repercussions of a possible expansion of gambling in Alabama.”

The Alabama Policy Institute (API) recently debuted its new website, the local report said.

The group said in its online statement, “Legalizing casino-style gambling in the state and establishing a statewide lottery is bad public policy, both fiscally and socially, and it is the wrong solution to address the state’s unsustainable fiscal trajectory. Regardless of who plays the lottery or gambles (regardless of the outcome), the government receives a portion of every dollar spent on these activities.

“This creates a perverse incentive for the state, especially when conventional revenue streams are volatile. The state becomes addicted to these regressive funding streams, with politicians actually desiring for more and more individuals and families to recklessly spend their money gambling. If a lottery is instituted or gambling increased, calls to further increase gambling will become incessant and government expansion will likely follow in its wake,”

Good to know: Alabama currently has no legal gambling markets

Alabama Senator Sam Givhan recently shared with local news during a radio interview that he is not confident the state will approve a lottery and gambling package next year.

He commented, “The House has said repeatedly they’re not going to start the bill, and I don’t see how the Senate, somebody may file one, but I don’t see where it goes anywhere. So, it’s clearly a no vote there and then with our new caucus rule that says a majority of our caucus has to support a bill to go forward, you’re just not there. You’re not close to it. It’s all fun to talk about. I’m not saying we don’t talk about it, because we do. I don’t mean you and me. I’m talking about my colleagues and I.

“I just don’t see it coming forward. Everything I hear is that it’s not coming forward this quadrennium because if it doesn’t come forward this session, we know it’s not going to come forward with any meaningful stuff in the last year because that’s where it’s going to be all powder puff stuff.”

Laura Mack

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