Alabama dog track owners join forces in media campaign for lottery, casino legislation
Alabama’s four greyhound tracks have joined forces to launch an advertising campaign to support legislation to allow a lottery, casinos, and sports betting in the state reported Al.com. The Birmingham Race Course, Greenetrack Bingo & Racing, Mobile Greyhound Park, and VictoryLand have set up a group called the Alabama Track Owners Association to support the campaign. The association is urging people to call their legislators to support a constitutional amendment that would allow the expansion of gambling and gambling regulation. In a press release this morning, the association summarized its message: “Alabama is losing hundreds of millions of dollars in gaming and lottery revenue to Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. This continues to happen year after year because the Alabama State Legislature has not approved the comprehensive gaming and lottery plan that would give the people of Alabama the chance to vote on a constitutional amendment. If the constitutional amendment approving the comprehensive gaming and lottery plan were to pass, the State of Alabama would generate hundreds of millions of dollars in additional tax revenue that could be used to fund Alabama priorities including broadband, healthcare, college & trade school scholarships, new job growth, workforce development, and new business opportunities.” Alabama lawmakers ended the 2021 legislative session without a vote on a gambling bill. At the end of the session, Sen. Jim McClendon stated, “I’m quite disappointed. It was a lot of work, but so much for that this session.” Alabama voters have not had their say on gambling in two decades with Gov. Don Siegelman’s lottery plan in 1999. Any plan to expand gambling in Alabama would require the Legislature to approve a constitutional amendment that would then be subject to approval by voters. The ATOA released a short video ad and phone number for people to call their legislators. Any plans to expand gambling in Alabama would require the Legislature to approve a constitutional amendment that would then be subject to approval by voters. Any casino or lottery bill introduced will need bipartisan support to win approval because of some conservative members’ opposition to gambling.
