UPDATE – Senate Debate Starts On Lottery Bill

MONTGOMERY, ALA (AP) -The Alabama Senate has begun debate on a revamped lottery bill that would allow electronic gambling machines in more locations.

Senators expect to vote sometime Thursday evening.

The bill was altered to allow electronic lottery terminals, which can resemble slot machines and video poker games, in Lowndes and Houston counties, in addition to four state dog tracks.

Alabama voters must approve any lottery proposal. The revised bill pushed the referendum date back from Nov. 8 to Dec. 20. Some Republicans had expressed concern about the gambling referendum coinciding with the general election.

Sen. Jim McClendon accepted changes to his original bill in an effort to get the stalled legislation through the Alabama Senate.

McClendon urged lawmakers to approve the bill and send it to the Alabama House of Representatives for debate.