Includes video report
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — An Alabama lawmaker says he plans to propose an amendment to the state's constitution to put an education lottery on the ballot for citizens to vote on in November.
The proposal by Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Dothan, gives half of the proceeds to Alabama's First Class Pre-K program. The other half would fund some college need-based scholarships. Clouse said Alabama could model it off of Tennessee's scholarship program.
"I think the general sentiment in the House, and I think the general sentiment around the state, is that it needs to be dedicated to education," Clouse said.
His proposal would legalize paper lotteries including scratch-offs and multi-state lotteries. Clouse said the fiscal office estimates the lottery would generate $167 million, and possibly up to $200 million, in proceeds annually.
The proposal would not legalize video lottery terminals, which are electronic machines similar to slot machines.
"I think our constituents want a chance to vote on a lottery proposal that does not include video lottery terminals," the lawmaker stated.
In 2019, several lawmakers wanted to see video lottery terminals legalized. Clouse suggested dealing with the video lottery terminals issue after the state passes a paper lottery.
Past lottery proposals have led to intense debates on both the House and Senate Floors and have ultimately died. Clouse carried a lottery proposal for the general fund in the House during the 2019 session. It failed after mixed emotions between both Republicans and Democrats.
In the past, Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, had not been supportive of a paper-based lottery because he believed it would make the current machines at Greenetrack illegal.
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians has proposed a plan to give them exclusive gaming rights they say would bring an initial billion dollars into the state. In the past, the group supported a clean paper-based lottery.
Sixty percent of legislators would need to approve the bill before sending it to the voters on the ballot in November.
Republican state leadership had said in December they wanted to address the lottery, local concerns, and agreements with the tribe at the same time before solely approving a lottery.
Alabama's legislative session opens on Feb. 4.
VIDEO: Watch the report
Good luck with that! Mississippi already turned $7 million to the state coffers--soon enough Mega Millions and Powerball will start there!
Powerball, & Mega Millions sales start Thursday in Mississippi.
Thanks for the update; just in time for Friday's MM & Saturday's PB drawings.
Good Luck to MS!!
It is fitting that Mississippi's final push for a state lottery started with a massive Powerball jackpot that could not be played by its residents, and fast-forward to today, the very first Powerball jackpot that the state's residents will be eligible to play will be greater than $400 million if it rolls Wednesday.
Lottery players will be cheering in the streets of MS when MM & PB roll over this week. This should add to the sale of tickets. Publicity will be wonderful.
Both MM and PB changed their ball configuration to insure LARGE jackpots.
We will welcome all players who join us.
Some of those Alabama lawmakers need to shake the dingleberry of video lottery terminals off their derrieres. Players mainly want scratch offs and Powerball. If they or their staff would read various state lotteries' financial reports, they'd see most of the revenue comes from scratch offs.
Every year their constituents spend money out of state to play paper lottery games, and every year Alabama forgoes that revenue because of lawmakers and lobbyists who always make VLTs part of the debate. They never learn. And they're going to miss out on even more money this year when Mississippi's lottery kicks into high gear. How many adult Alabamians who enjoy the lottery live with a half hour's drive from a border?
Mega Millions has rolled. Mississippians now have a Mega Millions jackpot worth $155,000,000.00 on Friday 1/31/2020 Good Luck to all!
Now it is Power Ball's turn to roll over on Wednesday 1/29/2020 A jackpot worth $394,000,000.00
Do I hear any cheering in the streets yet?
No Steve...
gives half of the proceeds to Alabama's First Class Pre-K program. The other half
Wonder how many of the other legislators have other pet causes they would rather see the profits go to.