Alabama Senate committee advances fantasy sports bill

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May 15, 2019

MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee on Wednesday morning advanced HB 361, Rep. Kyle South’s (R-Fayette) bill that would legalize daily fantasy sports contests like DraftKings and FanDuel in the state.

The bill as passed by the House was quickly given a favorable report on a roll call vote of 9-1 after the sponsor and one opponent spoke. HB 361 now heads to the full Senate, where it appears to enjoy a large amount of support.

Dr. Joe Godfrey, Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP) executive director, opposed the bill. His organization has spoken against all forms of gaming bills this legislative session.

On Wednesday, he asserted that HB 361 would allow Alabamians to play fantasy contests on more than sports, specifically lamenting “award shows, political debates and spelling bees.”

This came after Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) sharply cut off and scolded Godfrey at the beginning of his remarks, when Godfrey thanked the Senate for how they conducted themselves and voted on HB 314 Tuesday evening.

“Can we just leave last night where the hell it was,” Singleton told Godfrey, coming close to shouting at the well-known doctor of divinity and longtime pastor.

This demand came minutes after Singleton appeared on CNN talking about HB 314, continuing his verbal attacks on pro-life legislators.

Another ardent opponent, State Rep. Rich Wingo (R-Tuscaloosa), last week said he believes daily fantasy sports gaming would take Alabamians “to a place where God doesn’t exist.”

All of the states bordering Alabama already allow for the playing of daily fantasy sports either through an app or online. The games are played in 43 total states.

South estimates the bill would generate between $1.7 million – $4.1 million annually for Alabama’s General Fund. He has emphasized the games that would be legalized under his bill are predominantly contests of skill rather than predominantly of chance.