Robert Bentley, the Governor of Alabama, announced that the state Legislature will have to deal with a serious financial issue. Next month, Alabama officials will get back to work and they will have to find a solution to the shortfall amounting $700 million.
Mr. Bentley also announced that there is a higher chance for the taxes to be increased rather than an agreement with Indian casinos to be reached.
However, statistics show that the majority of Alabama residents believe that the government should take the idea for legalizing gambling activities instead of increasing the taxes. Even a greater number of residents confirmed that they would support the lottery if given the chance to.
In point of fact, Alabama authorities gave the citizens the right to determine whether they want lottery games available or not and at the end of the day the majority gave a “no” vote. In 1999, when a referendum for lottery legislation took place, there were 13 states which did not have their lottery legalized.
Now they are only six but two of them have their land-based casinos established. In addition, Mississippi-based casinos were among the main opponents of lottery legislation.
Back in December 2014, Alabama officials announced that they would take imminent actions towards legalizing gambling activities and making them a source of reliable income since the financial condition of the state is not too optimistic.
Communities’ attitudes have greatly changed over the last decade, though. Now, the proponents are more than the opponents, although local market experts warn that the numbers announced by different statistics might not be really precise.
Plus, the Indian tribes that have consolidated their positions on the market are sure to oppose the lottery legislation.
Apart from the attempts made towards legalizing the lottery, Alabama residents are believed to support a gambling legislation proposal as well.
However, Bill Hightower, state’s Senator, made it clear that neither the lottery nor the gambling legislation are likely to pass during this session. Not to mention the opposition of the Republican voters both legislation bills will probably meet. They are capable of ruining every attempt for gambling legislation.
Jennifer Ardis, the spokesperson of Robert Bentley, said that the Governor would not oppose the lottery referendum, in case the issue ever reaches the Legislature. Yet, Bentley is totally against the expansion of the Indian casinos available on the territory of Alabama.
