On Tuesday, opponents of the current legal gambling proposal held a press conference at the Alabama Statehouse in front of state lawmakers, hosted by Alabama Policy Institute Director Stephanie Smith.

“The two bills combined are over 250 pages,” Smith said. “If passed, it would completely change the culture of our state,” he said, adding that a “broad coalition” had rallied against it.

The press conference was held in an upper room an hour before the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee held a hearing. HB151 and HB152which serves as both an enabling law and structure for the legal gaming system proposed by legislators.

The former includes a constitutional amendment that changes language in the Alabama Constitution that exists to allow games of chance under state law. The latter details the proposed administrative structure of the Gaming Commission and specifies the counties in which casinos can be located, limiting him to seven counties in total.

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The Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) opposes the bill. Jimmy Parnell, the federation's president and CEO, spoke after Smith at a press conference and outlined the group's reservations.

“We have been against gambling for many years,” said ALFA President Jimmy Parnell. “We would still oppose this bill even if gambling was the goal.”

Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell today said the following about the gambling bill proposed in the state Legislature: “We are against gambling and have been against gambling for many years.

But let's assume we were all for it. If you like gambling, we don't do it…

— Grayson Everett (@Grayson270) February 13, 2024

Many organizations, individuals recovering from gambling addiction, and faith-based leaders expressed fundamental opposition to opening the state to legal gambling media. The Alabama Citizen Action Program (ALCAP) opposes the law.

“Alabama is a better state because we have resisted gambling,” said ALCAP President Greg Davis. “The American Psychiatric Association has declared that gambling is addictive. It negatively impacts lives. We at ALCAP represent the church, and our church is on the front lines. '' Davis said. “They provide relief to people who have lost everything they have.”

Davis disputed that position and instead urged the state to enforce existing laws against illegal gambling. “Let’s enforce the laws we have,” Davis said.

Rick Lamb serves on the Alabama Baptist Church Board.

“We don't need Alabama to become BamaVegas,” Lamb said. “I have serious concerns” about gaming laws. Lamb said it is the church that recognizes the human toll of gaming addiction.

“The worst people in the world, and the most vulnerable people to get caught up in this, are the people who want to win big even though it's not going to happen in their lives,” Lamb said.

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Kimberly Cook serves on the Vestavia Hills City Council.She expressed her opposition to this bill at her press conference and the public hearing held.

“This will pass without a City Council vote,” Cook said, concerned about the casino's location up the road from Vestavia in Birmingham. Birmingham and Vestavia are both located in Jefferson County. The bill would require casinos in the Jefferson County area to be located in Birmingham.

said state Rep. Jim Carnes (R-Vestavia). But I understand that if you let him gamble on his cell phone 24 hours a day, there would be a problem. ”

“This is something that I personally don't want brought into the culture of Alabama,” said Rep. Kearns. “I don’t want to see my grandchildren driving down the road and seeing a gambling billboard by the state of Alabama, whether the money goes to their education or something else. ”

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