Marsh to introduce Gambling Bill

Sen. Del Marsh

Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh of Anniston expects to file his gambling bill Today as one solution to Alabama's faltering general fund budget.

Marsh says not one lawmaker called him in opposition to the bill's first draft. He distributed it Friday and asked his colleagues for feedback over the weekend.  Four lawmakers sent him changes to be considered. He's already taken the changes to legislative reference.

As drafted, the bill would create a lottery. It allows for class III gaming at Alabama's four existing greyhound tracks, which includes slot machines and table games like black jack. It also urges the governor to negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

The last time there was this much interest in any kind of gambling was in 1999, when voters said no to a lottery. That happened when churches united and worked against it.

Alabama Citizens Action Program, ALPAC, has already begun its campaign against the bill that has not even been filed yet. This is the group that led churches to campaign against the vote in 1999.

ALPAC isn't opposed to considering tax increases but will fight as hard as can to stop gambling.

If passed by at least three fifths of the state legislature, the bill would go before voters as a constitutional amendment.