Alabama Senate Passes Bills for Lottery, Gambling Proposal

The Alabama Senate passed a two-bill proposal for a lottery, also a state-regulated gambling plan on Thursday, after about eight hours of debate.

The vote was 22 to 11 on the first bill, that was a proposed constitutional amendment, which required 21 votes.  The Senate then passed the companion bill, HB152, that spells out many of the specifics for a new Alabama Gambling Commission, a lottery – also, regulation of pari-mutuel gambling.  That vote was 23 to 10.

The legislation now has to return to the House of Representatives, which passed a different version earlier.

If it wins final approval in the Legislature – it would then go on the ballot for voter approval on September 10th.

(www.AL.COM.)