Alabama Senator Pushes Voter Referendum on Lottery, Casinos and Sports Betting

An effort to reopen the gambling debate in Alabama has taken a new turn with the introduction of Senate Bill 257 (SB257), a proposal that would give voters the final say on whether the state should authorize a lottery, casinos and sports betting.

The bill was introduced on Tuesday by Senator Merika Coleman (D-Pleasant Grove), who said the issue consistently ranks among the top concerns raised by her constituents. According to Coleman, discussions during budget hearings have underscored the state’s need for new revenue sources, particularly as federal support for programs such as food assistance and healthcare declines.

“At the end of the day for me, this is about revenue,” Coleman said.

She warned that Alabama is facing “major deficits” in areas including the Department of Human Resources and Medicaid, adding: “And it is our responsibility as lawmakers to do what we can do in order to provide those services. And so this is my contribution to trying to get this revenue here without putting a tax on the citizens of the state of Alabama.”

A Different Legislative Strategy

Unlike previous gambling proposals that attempted to define regulatory and operational details upfront, SB257 focuses on securing voter authorization first. The measure would amend the state constitution, requiring approval by three-fifths of both legislative chambers before being sent to a statewide referendum.

If approved by voters, lawmakers would later return to craft separate legislation outlining the specifics of lottery operations, casino gaming, sports betting regulation and the creation of a gambling oversight commission.

“My goal was to have a clean lottery bill that just asked the people of the state of Alabama – do you want us to come back and actually work on a bill?” Coleman said. “And that’s what it does. It’s a constitutional amendment.”

She added that the proposal would allow the Legislature and governor to establish a regulatory commission, regulate both in-person and online sports betting, authorize in-person casino gaming, and potentially negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

“And so it’s just simply asking the public – do you want us to take up this issue?” Coleman said.

Public Support and Historical Context

Coleman cited polling data indicating that more than 70% of Alabama residents support having a vote on a state lottery. The last statewide vote on the issue took place in 1999, when voters narrowly rejected then-Governor Don Siegelman’s lottery proposal by a 54% to 46% margin.

Despite repeated legislative efforts over the past two decades, gambling expansion has consistently stalled, including a proposal that fell one vote short of passage in 2024.

“The problem that we have in the Legislature… it’s always the details,” Coleman said. “That’s where we get bogged down.”

Money Leaving the State

The senator said renewed momentum came after last year’s Powerball jackpot surpassed USD 1 billion, highlighting how Alabama residents routinely cross state lines to buy lottery tickets. Alabama is one of only five U.S. states without a lottery and is surrounded by states that offer one.

“I have an uncle that lives in Maryland. I have cousins that live in Texas,” Coleman said. “And I call my uncle, ‘Hey, you’re gonna get our tickets, right?’ So that money will go to their state.”

She added: “You have all of these people in the state of Alabama that are driving across the state line and funding the education of Georgia students.”

Timing and Political Realities

SB257 does not specify when the proposed constitutional amendment would appear on the ballot. Coleman said the omission was intentional, allowing time for discussion on the most appropriate timing.

“I don’t want to get pulled in with this being a political move,” she said. “This was a move based on what I’m hearing from my constituents and also based on all of that money going out to these other states.”

Legislative leaders had previously indicated that gambling legislation was unlikely to advance during the 2026 session, a reality Coleman acknowledged following conversations with leadership and other lawmakers involved in gaming policy.

“Most everybody said this is probably not going to be the year,” Coleman said. “I’m actually OK with that… But some time we need to make a decision, have some political courage and allow the citizens of the state of Alabama to vote on it.”

Coleman also emphasized that the bill does not compel participation in gambling, addressing moral objections directly.

“Nobody is twisting your arm to say go out here and buy a lottery ticket or go to casino gaming or even do some sports betting,” she said. “But please allow us the opportunity to get the revenue and so we can be able to pay for some of these things that we’re going to have some huge hits on.”