The Alabama legislature will begin its 2025 regular session in just over a month, but Alabama Sen. Sam Givhan thinks any new gambling bills won’t stand much of a chance. Although fellow Senator Greg Albritton intends to raise the topic again, Givhan told a radio interviewer that he does not believe there are sufficient affirmative votes to get any kind of gambling bill through the Alabama Senate.
While Givhan acknowledges that the gambling conversation is likely to continue in Montgomery, he is skeptical that the discussion will produce viable legislation. Some bills to authorize gambling in a limited way have already been pre-filed for the session. That may represent the extent to which the Alabama legislature will address the issue in 2025.
Givhan gives his take on gambling legislation
On The Dale Jackson Show, Givhan responded to questions from the host regarding the prospect of gambling legislation for the 2025 session. Despite the fact that there will be some new faces in Montgomery compared to the 2024 session, Givhan’s comments suggest that 2025 could see less movement on gambling than 2024 did.
Our new caucus rule says a majority of our caucus has to support a bill to go forward. We’re just not there. Not close.
It was close in 2024, however. Givhan was one of the senators who voted against a gaming regulation bill package.
Limited gaming framework nearly moved onto voters in 2024
In the 2024 session, a set of bills that would have legalized and regulated physical slots and electronic versions of table games at four former dog-racing tracks and three bingo halls in Alabama ultimately fell short by a single vote. While the package received the necessary supermajority (2/3) approval in the Alabama House, 15 Senators voted it down.
Givhan was among those “no” votes and he was joined by Alabama Sen. Greg Albritton, who has been one of the most vocal proponents of gaming regulation in Alabama. Albritton commented that he voted against the package to protect the interests of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
If Givhan is accurate, there will be no similar legislation in 2025. Limited bills related to gaming already exist but they are different from the package that fell short in 2024.
Pre-filed bills address gaming in Alabama
At this time, there are two bills that have been pre-filed for the 2025 session of the Alabama legislature related to gambling. Neither would represent substantial expansion of gaming in the state.
Full texts of the bills are not yet publicly available. The summary of HB41 from Rep. Matthew Hammett states that the bill increases penalties for violations of gambling laws.
HB47, which was pre-filed by Rep. Jim Hill, proposes a constitutional amendment that if approved by voters, would legalize and regulate non-commercial paper raffles and paper bingo games with charitable elements.
HB47 represents a continuation of the state’s struggles to regulate charitable bingo games.
Legal wrangling over legality of charitable bingo games
One of the only forms of commercial gambling that is authorized in Alabama is bingo with a charitable element. The Alabama Constitution mandates that all net revenues go to non-profit organizations and limits the value of prizes to $10,000.
One area of debate has been what types of bingo the Constitution authorizes. Alabama Atty. Gen. Steve Marshall has been adamant that only paper-based games are legal and Hill’s amendment proposal is an effort to clarify that distinction.
Marshall has been active in prosecuting operations that offer electronic bingo games. While cities like Lipscomb struggle to meet their budgets without that revenue, Givhan’s comments suggest that they may have to look elsewhere to meet those needs in the future.
Lots of talk, little action
Speaking with CBS42, Albritton communicated doubts that a member of the Alabama legislature will propose a gambling expansion bill in the 2025 session as robust as previous years have seen. Previous versions have included not only slots and table games but sports wagering and direction for Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to negotiate a gaming compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the only federally recognized tribe within Alabama’s borders.
Givhan’s comments support Albritton’s position that any gaming bill proposed would be relatively limited in scope. Givhan takes it a step further, however, as they are skeptical that any comprehensive gambling bills will surface in the coming years.
The House has said repeatedly that they’re not going to start the bill. I’m not saying we won’t talk about [gambling]. I just don’t see [legislation] coming forward this quadrennium.
Without bills originating in either chamber, there will be no significant gambling expansion in Alabama. Affecting such change requires constitutional amendments and the only current path to enact such amendments begins in the legislature.
Givhan’s statements suggest that the next four years will only feature proposals clarifying and strengthening existing standards like Hammett’s and Hill’s pre-filed bills. So far, none of the other indicators contradict Givhan’s assessment.
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