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Gambling expansion in Alabama could soon be on the agenda for state Rep. Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery) if he is elected lieutenant governor.
Rep. Phillip Ensler Seeks Legalized Gambling
During an interview with the Alabama Political Reporter, Ensler said he would use the office as a “ bully pulpit” in order to
influence the political landscape on gambling legislation.
“I hear from people all over the state — Democrat, Republican, white, black, poor, more affluent — that say it’s crazy that
we don’t have a state lottery,” Ensler explained.
“People cross over state lines to buy lotto tickets, and we’re missing out on hundreds of millions of dollars that could be used
for education or could be used for healthcare.”
Ensler went on to state that he would use the bully pulpit to “ not just [publicly call] for it, but to really spend that time to
convene meetings, to try to bring people together, to reach a consensus.”
However, the former White House intern added that he won’t force people to support gambling legalization or “bully
them into it in a bad way, but in a positive way of saying, ‘Hey, let’s put our heads together and figure this out.’”
The Alabama Policy Institute has recently expressed its concerns over legalized gambling.
Alabama Prohibits Most Forms Of Gambling
Alabama does not have any commercial casino gaming or Sports Betting. Gambling activity is limited to tribal Class II
casinos operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
Per Section 13A-12-21 of the Code of Alabama, a person commits the crime of simple gambling “if he knowingly
advances or profits from unlawful gambling activity as a player.”
Gambling is defined as when an individual “stakes or risks something of value on the outcome of a game of chance
or future event not under his or her control or influence.”
Simple gambling is treated as a Class C misdemeanor, while the current penalty for running an illegal gambling
operation is a Class A misdemeanor.
If a person illegally has a gambling device, such as a slot machine, they can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor
and be sentenced to up to a year in jail and up to a $6,000 fine.
Although charitable bingo is allowed in certain counties due to constitutional amendments, Alabama is still
one of the few states without a state lottery.
Gambling expansion in Alabama could soon be on the agenda for state Rep. Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery) if he is elected lieutenant governor.
Rep. Phillip Ensler Seeks Legalized Gambling
During an interview with the Alabama Political Reporter, Ensler said he would use the office as a “ bully pulpit” in order to
influence the political landscape on gambling legislation.
“I hear from people all over the state — Democrat, Republican, white, black, poor, more affluent — that say it’s crazy that
we don’t have a state lottery,” Ensler explained.
“People cross over state lines to buy lotto tickets, and we’re missing out on hundreds of millions of dollars that could be used
for education or could be used for healthcare.”
Ensler went on to state that he would use the bully pulpit to “ not just [publicly call] for it, but to really spend that time to
convene meetings, to try to bring people together, to reach a consensus.”
However, the former White House intern added that he won’t force people to support gambling legalization or “bully
them into it in a bad way, but in a positive way of saying, ‘Hey, let’s put our heads together and figure this out.’”
The Alabama Policy Institute has recently expressed its concerns over legalized gambling.
Alabama Prohibits Most Forms Of Gambling
Alabama does not have any commercial casino gaming or Sports Betting. Gambling activity is limited to tribal Class II
casinos operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
Per Section 13A-12-21 of the Code of Alabama, a person commits the crime of simple gambling “if he knowingly
advances or profits from unlawful gambling activity as a player.”
Gambling is defined as when an individual “stakes or risks something of value on the outcome of a game of chance
or future event not under his or her control or influence.”
Simple gambling is treated as a Class C misdemeanor, while the current penalty for running an illegal gambling
operation is a Class A misdemeanor.
If a person illegally has a gambling device, such as a slot machine, they can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor
and be sentenced to up to a year in jail and up to a $6,000 fine.
Although charitable bingo is allowed in certain counties due to constitutional amendments, Alabama is still
one of the few states without a state lottery.
