Alabama Lottery Headed For Thursday Senate Vote

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – A lottery bill is headed to a vote in the Alabama Senate.

Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said he intends to seek an up or down vote on a lottery bill on Thursday afternoon.

The bill is expected to include allowing electronic gambling machines at four dog tracks and possibly in Houston County.

Marsh said he thought it was time to make a decision. However, he remained uncertain whether the bill had the 21 votes needed to clear the Senate.

Senators have been divided over gambling, particularly whether to allow the electronic gambling machines.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley called lawmakers into special session to consider a lottery bill to fund Medicaid. Bentley said he prefers a lottery alone to the bill that would allow electronic games.