House to talk lottery bill today

Published 9:11 pm Monday, May 20, 2019

The Alabama House of Representatives is set to take up debate about a lottery bill tomorrow ahead of an expected vote sometime this week.

The bill has undergone some amendments and changes since it passed out of the Senate last month.

The House version of the bill would split the revenue generated from the proposed lottery 75 percent to the general fund and 25 percent to the education trust fund.

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When the bill left the Senate, the funding was proposed to be evenly split between the general fund and education fund.

Rep. Wes Allen, R-Pike County, said it is likely to undergo much debate and possibly even more changes before the House takes a vote.

“I’m sure this bill will be heavily debated,” Allen said. “I don’t know how the vote will come down, but this proposed lottery bill has a long ways to go still before it receives final passage and heads to Gov. Ivey’s desk for consideration.”

Even if the bill passes and is signed by Ivey, the residents of Alabama will still have a say as the constitutional amendment would have to be placed on the upcoming general election ballot.

The proposal would authorize a state lottery played with paper tickets but with video lottery terminals.

Rep. Steve Clouse has said he expects a close House vote. The bill face a mixture of opposition from conservative lawmakers opposed to gambling and others who want to allow electronic gambling terminals.