Kay Ivey ready to dig her heels in to give Alabama voters their say on gambling bill – AL.com

Two Alabama senators said they expect the Senate to consider a lottery bill on Wednesday, while Gov. Kay Ivey today reiterated her position that she wants Alabama voters to have their say on a lottery and other possible ways to expand and better regulate gambling.

It is clear that the people of Alabama want the opportunity to vote on the issue of gaming one way or the other, and Governor Ivey has committed to them that she is ready to dig her heels in and work with the Legislature to get that accomplished, Ivey Press Secretary Gina Maiola said in an email this morning.

Like we have shared often, Governor Ivey is actively having conversations with the Legislature and others to determine our next steps. There is gambling already happening in our state. In fact, it is rampant, and much of it is illegal. The governor feels strongly that we need to shine a bright light on these activities, control and regulate it and make sure the people of Alabama are the beneficiaries.

Maiola sent the statement in response to a question about whether the governor was developing her own gambling legislation. A bill by Sen. Del Marsh to allow voters to decide whether to allow a lottery, casinos, and sports betting fell two votes short in the Senate on March 9. Maiola mentioned that bill, SB 214, in her statement today.

Gambling is complex, and we have learned a lot, even since SB 214, Maiola said. She looks forward to engaging with the legislators on this issue. Governor Ivey ultimately supports getting solid, comprehensive gaming legislation, worthy of the voters.

Sen. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, said he expects the Senate to vote on his lottery bill on Wednesday. Marsh also said he expected McClendons bill to be on the Senate floor Wednesday.

McClendons bill would allow voters to decide whether to establish a lottery that would that would include the multi-state games like Mega Millions and Powerball, as well as an Alabama lottery. People would be able to play it on their phones.

Alabama voters last had their say on a lottery in 1999, when they rejected a plan by Gov. Don Siegelman.

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Kay Ivey ready to dig her heels in to give Alabama voters their say on gambling bill - AL.com