SB293 Summary

• Proposes constitutional amendment to Section 65 to authorize limited gambling in Alabama under a new Alabama Education Lottery and Gambling Commission, including state lottery, casino-style games, sports betting, bingo, and raffles.

• Establishes the Alabama Education Lottery with games approved by the commission, and limits casino-style games to five licensed casinos at specified locations: Greenetrack (Greene County), Birmingham Race Course (Jefferson County), VictoryLand (Macon County), Mobile County Greyhound Racing facility (Mobile County), and one casino operated by Poarch Band of Creek Indians in DeKalb or Jackson County.

• Authorizes two satellite casinos in Houston County and Lowndes County offering up to 300 electronic gaming machines each; imposes 20 percent tax on net gambling revenues for casinos and sports betting.

• Directs Alabama Education Lottery proceeds to scholarship or workforce development programs, with up to 0.5 percent for problem gambling programs; distributes gambling revenues to cities and counties for capital and non-recurring public expenses.

• Creates nine-member commission board appointed by Governor, Lieutenant Governor, legislative leaders, and Attorney General; requires competitive bidding process for casino licenses with minimum bids ranging from $5 million to $35 million depending on location.