Del Marsh reintroduces gambling bill on Alabama’s special session

Sen. Del Marsh reintroduced his gambling legislation during Alabama’s special session on the state’s $200m budget shortfall.

Marsh’s gambling bill, which could pave the way for a lottery and table gaming in Alabama, opposes Gov. Robert Bentley’s tax plan. Both bill were introduced during the regular session that ended in June but neither passes.

Citing the results of the study of Auburn University in Montgomery, Marsh said that implementing a lottery and a Las Vegas style gambling would create $400 million in new revenue for the Alabama General Fund and add 11,000 new jobs for a total $1.2 billion impact. The bill would also call for four casinos in Birmingham, Mobile, at VictoryLandn and at Greenetrack, which can operate table games such as poker and blackjack in addition to electronic bingo.

Marsh’s plan would also establish a gaming commission to regulate the casinos and establish the rules under which they would operate.