Alabama lawmakers are set to introduce a comprehensive gambling bill that’s taken a year to craft. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Bettors can start believing

More than one year of hard work by sports betting backers in Alabama has culminated in the introduction of a bill. Alabama State Representative Andy Whitt and other lawmakers will file a “wide-ranging” gambling bill sometime after the legislature convenes February 6.

the perfect choice to take on Alabama’s gambling problems.”

According to the Alabama Political Reporter last week, the bill will cover retail casinos, sports betting, and a lottery. It’s no ordinary bill either, having been painstakingly pieced together by Whitt, a politician the publication described as the “low-key, straight shooter” with no links to gaming and “the perfect choice to take on Alabama’s gambling problems.”

Over a year ago, Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter set Whitt the challenge of crafting watertight legislation. The result is the forthcoming first draft of a bill Whitt stated is “written 100 percent by legislators without any input from special interests.”

Despite the optimistic mood from gambling backers, opposition remains in the form of a group of farmers.

Optimism in the air

Alabama lawmakers are backing the bill in their numbers, including Ledbetter and top Republican leadership, giving it real momentum.  

Whitt stated: “I think we have a real chance to pass this one, because it will address every issue that people have brought up over the last several years.” The lawmaker’s year of investigative work included visiting legal tribal betting establishments and multiple illegal gaming operations.

Whitt referenced one case of a surprise visit accompanied by a local sheriff to an illegal gambling facility at the back of a florist. “Every person immediately jumped up and ran out the back door […] Local law enforcement didn’t think anything illegal was happening but those people in there sure did.”

According to the lawmaker, the upcoming bill even though it includes new casinos, will bring a reduction in Alabama’s gambling by shuttering illegal operators for good.

Opposition remains

Alabama’s legal gambling market dream, however, faces tough opposition both in-and out-of-state, with the biggest opposition being the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA).

According to APR, officials with ALFA contacted at least ten lawmakers over a week’s period. One lawmaker stated while not making threats per se, the ALFA member made clear “they were going to make my next election pretty difficult” if he voted in favor of Whitt’s bill.

We oppose gambling in all forms”

In response to this report, ALFA issued a statement affirming: “We oppose gambling in all forms including casino gaming, state lottery, sports betting, electronic gaming, and online gambling.”

The challenge Whitt took on is also evidenced by the threats he’s received linked to out-of-state entities, including: “Some very personal things from people and a very unpleasant conversation.”