One of ‘Bama’s Top Republicans Backs Lottery, Casinos

By Kim Chandler /The Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — As Alabama once again struggles to put together a budget, one of the state’s most powerful Republicans said Monday that the time has come to look at gambling as a revenue option.

During a news conference, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh cited a study that says four casinos and a lottery would generate $400 million in new state revenue — with $332 million of that coming from a state lottery — and 11,000 new jobs. Marsh’s office commissioned the study, done by Auburn University at Montgomery.

“Those are pretty impressive numbers no matter what you think of gaming and I personally don’t game,” said Marsh, R-Anniston. “Those numbers are big enough that the body needs to see them and make a decision,” Marsh said.

The powerful Republican’s endorsement of gambling as a revenue source could be a significant boost to the idea that has previously fallen flat with conservative lawmakers. The Senate leader said he will discuss the study with legislators this week as a possible answer to the state’s perpetual General Fund woes.

The study assumes a state lottery and casino games and slot machines at four existing dog tracks in Mobile, Birmingham, Macon and Greene County. Neither form of gambling can take place unless voters approve a change to the Alabama Constitution.

Alabama lawmakers face tough budget decisions, with a projected minimum $280 million shortfall in the General Fund plus unfunded needs in corrections, Medicaid and other agencies. Gov. Robert Bentley has proposed $541 million in tax increases, but so far, his proposal has not found much support among legislators.

Marsh says he’ll discuss the idea with senators, but will only introduce gambling legislation if he believes it has a chance of passing.

“Is this worth looking at? This is what this is about,” Marsh said.

“If I’ve got a decision to raise $700 million in taxes, or I’ve got a decision to allow the people to vote whether they want gaming, then that is an easier decision for me, but I’m one senator. I’ve got to see what the caucus wants to do,” Marsh said.

Alabama is one of only six states without a lottery. Voters in 1999 rejected the idea of a lottery in a referendum proposed by then-Gov. Don Siegelman. Democrats for several sessions have proposed gambling, including a lottery, as a revenue source but have met resistance from Republicans.

“I’m excited about the fact that they are hopping on board with the Democratic Caucus plan,” said House Minority Leader Craig Ford, D-Gadsden.

Republican officeholders have also previously waged a legal war to shut down electronic bingo machines at dog tracks at VictoryLand in Macon County and Greenetrack in Greene County. The bingo machines resemble slot machines.

The numbers cited by Marsh do not include a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, which operates bingo casinos in Montgomery, Atmore and Wetumpka. However, the Mobile dog track is operated by the tribe.

Tribal chairwoman Stephanie A. Bryan said the tribe would have to carefully study any proposed gambling legislation before forming an opinion on it.

“As a sovereign nation, we are subject to federal, not state laws, and we are under no obligation to negotiate a compact,” Bryan added.

A spokeswoman for Republican House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, said the speaker is reviewing the study but said gambling would not provide a solution to next year’s budget since a referendum couldn’t be held until next fiscal year.

A group that fought the lottery in 1999 urged legislators to resist gambling legislation.

“Those studies never tell the whole picture,” said Joe Godfrey, executive director of Alabama Citizen Action Program. “Where is all that money going to come from? It’s going to come from the pockets of losers,” Godfrey said.