Where does gaming legislation stand in Alabama?

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - A huge Powerball drawing happened Wednesday night with a jackpot of just over $1 billion. If any Alabamians want a chance to win, they’ve always had to drive to a neighboring state.

Some state lawmakers argue every time that happens, revenue is leaving our state to help another.

Case in point, the Georgia Lottery Corporation says for fiscal year 2023, they put $1.5 billion in the state’s education account for Hope scholarships and pre-k education.

Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton says the gaming legislation is back in the House after a scaled back version passed in the Senate in March. Singleton says either the House has to agree with it or the legislators can choose to go into conference. From there, the Lieutenant Governor will appoint members from the House and Senate to come up with a resolution for both houses to vote on. And all that has to be done before the last day of the legislative session, which is in May 20.

“If the Senate version is passed, I know highways and schools and possibly to go back to our general fund, but if the House version is passed, you’ll get scholarships for students, you’ll get Medicaid expansion possibly or some version of that,” said Singleton.

In a nutshell, Singleton says the difference between the two versions is the House’s will benefit the people of Alabama, but the Senate’s will benefit agencies.

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