Video: Alabama Lawmakers Look At Lottery

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Some Republican lawmakers say it’s time Alabama considered a state lottery.

Sen. Jim McClendon of Springville and Rep. Alan Harper of Northport on Tuesday introduced legislation in the upcoming session to let Alabamians vote on the idea of creating a lottery.

McClendon said he is introducing the bill because his constituents “constantly” tell him they want to see a lottery in Alabama.

The bill filed Tuesday would just authorize a lottery. McClendon said details about where the money would go, and how the lottery would be run, would be decided later.

If approved by legislators, Alabamians would vote during the presidential election in November.

Alabamians in 1999 voted down a lottery proposed by then-Gov. Don Siegelman.

Forty-four states have lotteries. Alabama, Mississippi, Utah, Nevada, Hawaii and Alaska do not.