Alabama Rep. Phillip Ensler To Push For Gambling As Lt. Gov.
Gambling expansion in Alabama could soon be on the agenda for state Rep. Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery) if he is elected lieutenant governor.
Rep. Phillip Ensler Seeks Legalized Gambling
During an interview with the Alabama Political Reporter, Ensler said he would use the office as a “ bully pulpit” in order to influence the political landscape on gambling legislation.
“I hear from people all over the state — Democrat, Republican, white, black, poor, more affluent — that say it’s crazy that we don’t have a state lottery,” Ensler explained.
“People cross over state lines to buy lotto tickets, and we’re missing out on hundreds of millions of dollars that could be used for education or could be used for healthcare.”
Ensler went on to state that he would use the bully pulpit to “ not just [publicly call] for it, but to really spend that time to convene meetings, to try to bring people together, to reach a consensus.”
However, the former White House intern added that he won’t force people to support gambling legalization or “bully them into it in a bad way, but in a positive way of saying, ‘Hey, let’s put our heads together and figure this out.’”
The Alabama Policy Institute has recently expressed its concerns over legalized gambling.
Alabama Prohibits Most Forms Of Gambling
Alabama does not have any commercial casino gaming or sports betting. Gambling activity is limited to tribal Class II casinos operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
Per Section 13A-12-21 of the Code of Alabama, a person commits the crime of simple gambling “if he knowingly advances or profits from unlawful gambling activity as a player.”
Gambling is defined as when an individual “stakes or risks something of value on the outcome of a game of chance or future event not under his or her control or influence.”
Simple gambling is treated as a Class C misdemeanor, while the current penalty for running an illegal gambling operation is a Class A misdemeanor.
If a person illegally has a gambling device, such as a slot machine, they can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor and be sentenced to up to a year in jail and up to a $6,000 fine.
Although charitable bingo is allowed in certain counties due to constitutional amendments, Alabama is still one of the few states without a state lottery.
Tags/Keywords
Players trust our reporting due to our commitment to unbiased and professional evaluations of the iGaming sector. We track hundreds of platforms and industry updates daily to ensure our news feed and leaderboards reflect the most recent market shifts. With nearly two decades of experience within iGaming, our team provides a wealth of expert knowledge. This long-standing expertise enables us to deliver thorough, reliable news and guidance to our readers.
Latest News
