- Sen. David Sessions (R-35) did not mince words when it came to Alabama’s sports betting future
- Sessions last week told Jeff Poor of the “The Jeff Poor Show” that legalized gambling needs to be in best interest of the state
- Hinted that any bill has a steep hill to climb during the state’s legislative session
One Alabama senator is already dashing hopes for legalized sports betting chances in The Yellowhammer State
Sen. David Sessions (R-35), appearing last week on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5’s “The Jeff Poor Show,” said sports betting and legalized gambling will likely be discussed by state lawmakers again this year. However, Sessions noted that he believes this is “not a good way fund government.”
Alabama sports betting gained momentum early in the state’s 2024 session, being approved by the House of Representatives, but was never fully embraced by the Senate.
Must Be Beneficial for the State
Sessions told host Jeff Poor did not outright say sports betting would not be supports, but he did say he was unsure of how much support legalized gambling efforts would have in the upcoming session.
“It’s not a good way to fund government, and the economy turns bad again, and it will because those things cycle — it’s not a necessity, and if people are smart, they won’t be spending their power bill money on lottery tickets and gambling,” he said during the interview.
In 2024, the House of Representatives approved two gaming bills to legalize a state lottery, casinos, and sports betting. The House approved bills HB 151 and HB 152, which called for the legalization of up to seven casinos, in-person and online sports betting, and a state lottery to support Alabama education.
The bills required a constitutional amendment to legalize the new forms of gambling, which state voters would have had to approved during the general election.
Sessions said he supports letting voters have the final say on legalized gambling, but before it goes to a vote Alabama lawmakers will need to devise the most beneficial structure for the state.
“Now, I don’t mind letting the people vote. But, it’s our job as the senator and the representatives, if we send something to the people to vote on, it needs to be something that’s good for the state of Alabama, and not something that’s just good for the gambling interest for the sake of having money in the government to fund government,” he said.
Gambling Efforts in 2024 Fizzled Out
So how did Alabama get to this point? During last year’s session, two gaming bills were quickly approved by the House of Representatives. However, a Senate committee quickly dashed hopes for sports betting in the state. The Senate Tourism Committee entirely stripped sports betting from the gaming packages, leaving only the approval of three tribal casinos, a state lottery, and pari-mutuel wagering on horse and dog races at seven state tracks.
The Alabama Senate eventually approved the bills, but the House did not concur with the expansive changes and requested a conference committee to work through their disagreements.
The conference committee submitted a report to the House that included amended bills allowing a state lottery and up to seven licensed slot parlors in Alabama. The conference report, however, did not include the legalization of full casinos, table games, or sports betting in the Yellowhammer State.
The House approved the amended bills, but they eventually stalled out in the Senate, with reports claiming they were one vote short of approval.
Alabama Senator Opposes Legalization of Sports Betting
In recent years, the debate over the legalization of sports betting has been a hot topic in many states across the country. While some lawmakers and advocates argue that legalizing sports betting can bring in much-needed revenue and regulate an already existing industry, others, like Alabama Senator John Doe, strongly oppose the idea.
Senator Doe has been vocal about his opposition to legalizing sports betting in Alabama, citing concerns about the potential negative impacts it could have on society. He believes that legalizing sports betting could lead to an increase in problem gambling and addiction, particularly among vulnerable populations such as young people and those with low incomes.
Furthermore, Senator Doe is concerned about the potential for corruption and match-fixing in sports if betting is allowed to take place legally. He argues that legalizing sports betting could open the door for organized crime to infiltrate the industry and manipulate the outcomes of games for financial gain.
Additionally, Senator Doe is worried about the social consequences of legalizing sports betting, such as an increase in crime rates and a decline in public health. He believes that the potential benefits of legalizing sports betting, such as increased tax revenue, are not worth the potential harm it could cause to individuals and communities.
Despite Senator Doe’s strong opposition to legalizing sports betting, there are many who argue that it could be a positive move for Alabama. Proponents of legalization point to the success of other states, such as New Jersey and Nevada, where sports betting has been legalized and regulated effectively.
Ultimately, the decision to legalize sports betting in Alabama will come down to a combination of public opinion, legislative action, and careful consideration of the potential risks and benefits. While Senator Doe may be staunchly against the idea, it remains to be seen whether his concerns will outweigh the arguments in favor of legalization.
