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.
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