The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday authorizing casino gambling for the first time in history, sending a comprehensive gaming package to the Alabama Senate that also includes sports betting and the state lottery.

The comprehensive two-bill package, which also creates the state's first gaming commission and increases penalties for illegal gambling, passed the House, where several gaming bills have died in recent years. It is the first statewide gaming bill ever introduced. past. However, the bill was passed without difficulty on Thursday, with surprisingly little opposition from lawmakers.

If approved by the Senate, the constitutional amendments that are part of the bill would be placed on the November ballot for voter approval. Opinion polls show that the referendum is almost certain to pass by a wide margin, and the bill's opponents admit that it is almost certain to pass by a wide margin.

“My goal from the beginning has been to provide Alabamians the opportunity to vote on this issue for the first time in 25 years. Today's passage of HB151 and HB152 will help our state achieve that goal. This is an important milestone,” said House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter. He said. “Congressmen. (Andy) Whitt, Congressman (Chris) Blackshear, and the members of the House Gaming Research Group deserve all the credit. They studied this problem, identified solutions, and this organization We've created the most powerful game method I've ever seen.”

If approved by the Senate and voters, the bill would introduce a statewide lottery similar to those in Tennessee, Georgia and Florida, allow sports betting through casinos and online apps such as DraftKings and FanDuel, and allow up to It will offer 10 full bets. Casino licenses for specific counties within a state.

The bill appears to have overwhelming support from the public and achieved rare bipartisan push in Congress. It was also the only gambling bill in state history to receive public support from the Governor, Speaker of the House, and President of the Senate.

“When you participate in baking a cake, you can't help but eat it,” said House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels as he celebrated passage. “We were happy to sit at the table and get some meaningful input on this bill. I don't think anyone got everything they wanted, but I think it's a good bill. .”

Tax revenue from gaming and lotteries could exceed $1 billion a year, and a number of priorities have been set to raise that money. That includes expanding mental health care options and providing some form of rural health care. Medicaid expansion is rumored to be a secret part of the bill, but multiple lawmakers told APR it would be somewhat similar to Medicaid expansion, but more in line with other red state plans. Plans for medical expansion are underway. I tried.

The renewed popularity of gaming bills among House Republicans may be due to the health crisis facing many localities. Republican lawmakers have been cautious about publicly expressing support for Medicaid expansion to save local hospitals and retain health care workers, but privately they have turned to the governor's office and legislative leadership for solutions. There are many members of Congress who are lobbying for this.

It also helps that the issue has broad public support and can be submitted in the form of a constitutional amendment that must be approved by voters. The system allowed lawmakers who normally avoid controversial votes to instead claim they were simply communicating their choices to voters.

This, combined with lottery tickets and casinos available in neighboring states, and sports betting commercials dominating advertising at most college and professional sporting events, has led to the prevalence of various forms of gaming throughout the state. As a result, even among conservatives, resistance to games is waning. It is now considered just another form of legal entertainment available to consenting adults.

The proliferation of illegal gambling enterprises around Alabama, along with their lax rules and criminal activities, has led many to realize that regulated, legalized forms of gambling run by professional businessmen are a much better option. became.

“I have long advocated for Alabamians to have a new voice in gaming, and today's House passage of HB151 and HB152 is an important step forward and a very significant one. Because this is something that hasn't been accomplished in the House of Representatives for years,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “The proposals passed by the House will stamp out and crack down on rampant illegal gambling and give Alabamians a voice in regulated and limited forms of gambling. This is a difficult and complex issue. , I want to commend the leadership of Congressman Chris Blackshear, Congressman Andy Hoyt, and Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter. I also want to commend the leadership of Congressman Chris Blackshear, Congressman Andy Hoyt, and Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter. I applaud limiting, regulating, and taxing.

“I will continue to be involved as this bill reaches the Senate. In its current form, these bills will continue to have my support.”