Just as quickly as it began, the prospect of Alabama lawmakers dealing with the legal gaming issue in 2025 has ended, with an announcement from Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger late Thursday afternoon.

“With 12 meeting days remaining in the session, both budgets still awaiting approval, and other important bills and measures demanding focus and attention, the comprehensive gaming bill released today is simply too little, too late, and has too few votes to pass,” Gudger (R-Cullman) said.

“I believe that passing a comprehensive gaming bill in the Senate will require engaging in long-term and intense negotiations among members and securing the needed votes and commitments well before a legislative session even begins.”

Now just over halfway through his first session as the leader of the chamber, Gudger is setting a marker that will provide an immense amount of coverage for his members, as last year’s pro-gaming push from the House made it evident how intensive the process to deal on the issue continues to be.

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Before the Alabama Legislature’s website was even updated to reflect legislation filed by State Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) on Thursday, Gudger issued his statement.

According to reports, Albritton’s bill mirrors similar proposals from years past, with proposed new stipulations about the distribution of funding, such as transportation and infrastructure.

Throughout 2023, members of the Alabama House worked internally to compose what became in the most coordinated legal gaming push of the century in 2024.

Gudger was elected by his Senate Republican colleagues late last year in a vote among caucus members.

As they navigate the remaining twelve days of the legislative session, Gudger has effectively shielded them, as well as the 8 Democrats in the Senate, from the pressure of legislating gaming in 2025.