Putting legal gaming back on the ballot for Alabamians, as well as eradicating the illegal activity currently rampant in the state, is something that will be put in the 2024 Legislature with the support of the state's Governor Kay Ivey. strengthened its position on the agenda. Tuesday night's State of the State address.

“When Alabamians head to the ballot box this year, I hope they vote for something else: games,” Ivey said.

“I believe the current proposals being considered by the Legislature are good for Alabama, and I will be watching the process closely. We will responsibly regulate legal gambling.”

Related: Does Alabama feel lucky about the 2024 game?

In 2020, Ivy broached the topic first In her State of the Union address, she mentioned gaming. Since then, two significant legal game her packages have moved through the legislative process but ultimately failed before reaching the governor's desk.

At that time, when I called, A committee to closely investigate this issueMr. Ivey recalled: “For years, going back to 1999, when Governor Siegelman was pushing for the Alabama Lottery, expanding the game in some way, maybe the lottery, or maybe an agreement with our Native American neighbors. I’ve heard that it’s going to solve everything. Solve our problems and fund all kinds of good ideas.”

“Many of the legislators hadn’t even served yet in the last period when the governor had to declare a prorated budget and make huge cuts across the board. I remember, so let me tell you, we don't want to go back there,” Ivey said in 2020.

Related: Witt: It's time to let people decide the fate of gambling in Alabama

Thanks to renewed attention from the Alabama House of Representatives, lawmakers say: Now Congress is ready to debate legal gaming I got the information from a recent failed attempt. This effort is perhaps most hampered by the lack of legislative time needed to reach an agreement between the parties.

“Changing gambling laws means changing the Constitution, and that means the people of Alabama need to vote to decide,” Ivey said in a statement. yellow hammer news During December. “The last time Congress proposed a gambling constitutional amendment to Alabama voters was in 1999, and frankly, I support Alabama having another opportunity to vote on this issue. ing.

In this year's State of the Union address, she thanked House Speaker Nathanial Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) for his leadership on this issue. The issue remains one of Alabama's highest-profile and most controversial political issues. century.

Related: Ledbetter: “Without regulation, illegal gambling will continue to increase''