None of the Alabama lawmakers have drafted a gaming bill that will be introduced in the next legislative session, which begins in two weeks, but it's likely to happen and the decision to pass it will once again be up to voters. Become.

This was made clear Monday when the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber's annual Alabama Legislature Update featured three state legislators at the Jackson Center at Cummings Research Park.

Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur), Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro) and Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville) all spoke to a room packed with government officials. He at least briefly touched on this issue on the podium. civic and business leaders;

Even Rep. Andy Hoyt (R-Harvest), who was sitting in the audience and was a leading voice in the gaming debate at the statehouse, was eventually handed a portable microphone to voice his opinion.

Games like poker machines, bingo and the lottery will almost certainly appear on the ballot this year. This is an issue Alabama voters have grappled with for the last two centuries, rejecting proposals at each juncture. Bingo currently requires a license, but is legal if the game is run properly.

RELATED: Is Alabama feeling lucky about the 2024 game?

State residents are trying to quell fears of a nefarious undercurrent by unraveling the mystery of an additional source of revenue that many Lottery supporters say should be used to fund education.

Whitt, who represents the 6th Congressional District (Madison and Limestone Counties), is the chair of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee and vice chair of the House Financial Services Committee. He is currently being charged with considering gambling or furthering his operations within the state.

“Illegal gambling occurs in all 67 counties in Alabama,” he said.

Illegal machines, including slots, dating back to 2022, have been seized across the state.

The management of games that distribute prizes, such as bingo, is a gray area. Although licensing is required by law, there are other factors as well. In many cases, all funds must be donated to non-profit organizations, but there may be loopholes or completely legal means to legitimize the game. “That will be considered,” Whitt said.

Orr, who represents Senate District 3 (Morgan, Limestone and Madison counties), mentioned the game in passing during his turn on stage. As chairman of the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee, he intends to leave it to the House to “solve the game's Gordian knot.”

Livingston, who represents the 8th Senate District (DeKalb, Jackson and Madison counties), agreed it was up to the House to take first action.

Related: Givan: 2024 game proposals appear to be more 'intellectually honest' than before

“My friends in the House are working on the gaming issue,” he said. “And I guarantee you that if the House passes (the bill), the Senate will also take up the gaming issue. We'll have to see how that develops.”

Mr. Reynolds represents House District 21 (Madison County) and serves as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

“I want to commend Chairman Whit,” Reynolds said. “He's been working on it this past (last year) ever since Chairman Livingston asked him to do it. And he's traveled all over Alabama and witnessed illegal gambling. Our leadership is… It came out before that.

“We're going to address gambling, and we're going to bring it up early in the House. Certainly we've already had some caucuses and we're having tough discussions about it. We don't have a constitutional right to provide. All we have to do is write appropriate legislation so that you can vote in Alabama. It's your decision and we will make sure that it I will strive to make this a reality.”

Mr Whitt said: “We'll bring the bill and let it vote. The people will vote on it. There's no bill. I can't go into details, so I'll leave it at that.”