A bill that would allow voters to decide whether to establish a lottery in Alabama cleared its first hurdle in the state Legislature.
The House Economic Development and Tourism Committee approved the lottery bill, sponsored by Rep. Alan Harper, on Wednesday. The vote came after a public hearing, in which about eight speakers said they opposed a lottery and only one supported the bill.
Opponents of the bill said a lottery would hurt the poor and that families would suffer because money for household necessities would be squandered on lottery tickets. Others registered moral objections calling the bill “evil.” Attorney Eric Johnston also suggested that based on previous judicial interpretations of the word “lottery,” the provision could open the door to casino-type gambling.
Harper said the bill is a response to demands from people in Alabama, who want to have a chance to vote on a lottery. He also disputed Johnston’s claim that the bill would open the door to casinos.
Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, who supported a gambling and lottery bill last year as a possible solution for the state’s budget shortfall, said that he needed to see more details of the mechanics of the lottery’s operation, such as the distribution of proceeds.
The Alabama Senate committee held a public hearing for a similar bill sponsored by Sen. Jim McCledon. As with Harper’s bill, the Senate measure does not specifically exclude casino-type gambling.
The committee took no vote on McCledon’s bill.
Alabama’s Constitution forbids lotteries and a Constitutional amendment requires approval of three-fifths of the members of the House and Senate to go on the ballot for voters.
If passed by the Legislature, Harper’s lottery proposal would go to the voters in the November 8 general election.
