Ivey says Alabamians should have opportunity to vote on gaming this year

—

February 15, 2024

Gov. Kay Ivey appears to have chosen her side in the gaming debate currently embroiling the state legislature.

Ivey took to X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday to tell the state she wants voters “to have a say on gaming” in Alabama.

Alabamians want to have a say on gaming, and I think they should have that opportunity! #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/RapMhyi2SS

— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) February 14, 2024

In her State of the State Address, the governor spoke about a bill that would minimize illegal gambling, help legal gaming, and begin a state lottery.

Last week in an interview on a Huntsville television station, Ivey discussed signing legislation that would allow legalized gaming in the Yellowhammer State.

“The bill has got to be a good bill for Alabama and its got to be comprehensive or I won’t sign it,” Ivey said to WHNT-TV Channel 19. “But I do support gaming if its done legally.”

“We’ve got illegal gambling going on and the state’s not gaining a dime from it. So, we’ve got to crack down on illegal gambling and put in place limited, regulated legal gaming, which includes a state lottery.”

She also said sports betting is a possibility.

A gaming bill introduced by Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest) is currently making its way through the House. As of yesterday, the legislation was approved by the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism.

A statewide vote on gambling hasn’t taken place in Alabama since 1999, when then-Gov. Don Siegleman proposed a state lottery. Alabama voters ultimately rejected the proposal.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.

Recent in Politics

Alabama Sens. Tuberville, Britt back CLEAR LABELS Act: ‘If someone is taking drugs from China, they deserve to know’

Sherri Blevins — 4 weeks ago

Alabama’s two U.S. senators are backing new bipartisan legislation aimed at increasing transparency in the prescription drug supply chain by requiring country-of-origin labeling on medications and their key ingredients. U.S. Sens. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) have joined colleagues in introducing the Consumer Labeling for Enhanced API Reporting and Legitimate Accountability for Base […]

Steve Marshall calls for more ICE agents in Alabama to ‘vigorously pursue dangerous criminal offenders’

Yaffee — 4 weeks ago

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is asking for more Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to come down to the Yellowhammer State. Marshall is asking for the Trump administration’s help to enforce the law after an illegal immigrant was arrested in connection with the disappearance of a mother and two of her children. Democrats won’t […]