Alabama Senator Merika Coleman Advocates for Gambling Expansion Referendum
Senator Merika Coleman’s Initiative for a Gambling Referendum
Alabama State Senator Merika Coleman is preparing to introduce legislation that would let voters decide on the future of gambling within the state. This proposed bill aims to put a constitutional amendment to a public vote, allowing residents to express whether they support the expansion of gambling.
Details of the Proposed Gambling Bill
The bill would authorize a statewide referendum on amending the constitution to permit the governor to establish a gambling commission. This commission would oversee the development of laws to expand gambling activities, including legalizing the lottery, sports betting, and casinos. It is yet to be determined if the bill would permit only physical gambling venues or also include online gambling options.
As a first-term senator with 20 years of service in the Alabama House of Representatives, Coleman seeks to present voters with a straightforward choice: whether they want to approve gambling expansion or not. A positive vote would direct the legislature to create detailed regulations and tax frameworks for each gambling format.
Efforts to define and legalize gambling have faced challenges in the Alabama legislature. In 2024, a bill that proposed legalizing lottery, sports betting, and casinos, along with an online gaming compact with the Poarch Creek Indians, passed the House but was defeated in the Senate.
Current Legal Landscape of Gambling in Alabama
Alabama enforces some of the most restrictive gambling laws in the United States. Most online gambling forms, including casinos, sports betting, and poker, remain prohibited. Nonetheless, certain federally authorized tribal casinos operate onsite, and residents have access to online horse race betting and social casino games.
The last time Alabama voters were asked about gambling was in 1999, when a gambling-related measure was rejected by a 54% to 46% margin. Since the state constitution currently bans the lottery, any effort to introduce or expand gambling must include a constitutional amendment, which requires a three-fifths legislative majority before being placed on a ballot for public consideration.
Governor Kay Ivey has expressed support for broader legalization of gambling in Alabama. Five years ago, she initiated a study commission that concluded the state could benefit economically from legalizing various gambling activities.
Political support for gambling reform extends beyond party lines. For instance, Democratic candidate and former Senator Doug Jones has included the launch of a state lottery as part of his gubernatorial campaign platform.
