The Alabama Senate passed Bill 310, which legalizes sports betting and land-based casino games with a 27-4 vote.
The bill will allow operators to operate casino games, including slots, historic horse racing machines, video lottery terminals, and table games such as poker, baccarat, roulette, and blackjack, in one of the six locations in the state. The six locations where licensed operators can operate are in DeKalb, Jackson, Macon, Greene, Houston, and Mobile counties.
The same bill also regulates the formation of the Alabama Gaming Commission, which would oversee the regulation of the new laws.
Proponents of the legislation point out that for the first time in state history, the package passed by the Senate would fully control and cap gaming that already exists in the shadows in Alabama. Enforcement would be given teeth so illegal operators could be weeded out once and for all.
Based on work previously conducted by the Governor’s Study Group on Gambling, the package would generate between $510-710 million annually.
“The Senate has been debating this topic for decades, and it is finally time we provide the people of our state with a solid product to address this issue,” Marsh stated. “Our people are driving across state lines to gamble and purchase lottery tickets, and those neighboring states are collecting the revenue and reaping the benefits straight from the pockets of Alabamians. This is revenue that can be used to finance countless desperately needed projects for our state and improve the quality of life for those who live here. I am proud to have worked on this issue, and I am thankful to Senator McClendon for having pushed this bill through the Senate. I am excited that this legislation is now one step closer to going to the people of Alabama for a vote.”
The newly established Commission will license gambling for casino games and sports betting, and their price varies between 5 and 35 million USD, depending on the location, DeKalb and Jackson, both in the northeast of the state, with the largest license fees.
Any online betting platform would require a management service license, with casino and sports betting licensees entitled to a maximum of three brands operated by management service license holders.
A license will last for 10 years, with the option to extend to 30 years if the licensee demonstrates “a completed capital investment in the covered location that is 10 or more times the initial license fee”.
The Commission will also collect 27% slot tax, a 35% tax on other casino gaming revenue, and 20% sports betting revenue each month.
“This has been a long time coming. The people of Alabama deserve the right to be able to vote on gaming, and they have wanted this chance for the past 20 years. This vote will allow our residents to finally reap the benefits of gaming, by allowing those who play games in Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, or Tennessee to now play those same games at home,” added Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro). “This vote has the potential to be a major game-changer for our education and healthcare systems. I’m proud to be a part of this legislative body and this is a great day for the state of Alabama.”
A different bill to legalize sports betting in Alabama was introduced in the State House in January but was never passed.
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