By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer
The topic of gambling in Alabama seems to rear its’ head around this time every year, failing to pass legislation time and time again.
Earlier this month, a wide-ranging gambling bill failed to pass the senate. Sponsored by Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, bill 214 would have instituted a state-run lottery, codified and expanded casino gambling, and allowed for sports betting to run through casinos.
Locally, Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, voted no on the issue but was cited saying that he would be open to considering future proposals.
On Tuesday afternoon, Chambliss backed up that statement as he spoke before the Prattville Rotary Club.
“I’m tired of dealing with the gambling issue; however, we’re not done with it. We’re going to keep dealing with it until something gets done,” Chambliss explained. “This is one of the most complicated subjects that we have to deal with in our sessions. Right now, the gambling in our state is unlicensed, and unregulated for the most part – and that needs to be changed. As long as it’s here, we need to put the controls on it and implement some sort of regulation”.
Chambliss went on the explain that the state of Alabama is already classified as a class three gambling state, due to local constitutional amendments that have allowed for parimutuel betting.
He iterated several times that his personal views would not interfere with his political stance moving forward.
“Personally, if it was up to me, we would go back to having nothing. But I’m a realist, and that’s not going to happen,” Chambliss said. “Gambling addiction is a real problem, and we have parents going out there putting themselves before their family – and there’s a cost to our society for that. But I’m going to objectively consider all proposals moving forwards for the betterment of Alabama”.
While Chambliss will consider proposals introduced before the senate floor, that doesn’t mean that he won’t stand in their way. In fact, the republican senator laid out a list of items that he would like to see in the bill before he would even consider helping to let it pass.
“We need to pay back the Alabama trust funds with the first proceeds from gambling. We still owe about $100M, but we’ve cut it way down. We’ve paid back all of the education trust fund and all but $100M in the general funds,” Chambliss said.
Chambliss then spoke about his second and third request, explaining that they are align with conservative views.
“We need to put the first proceeds into our general fund reserve. We know there’s going to be a downturn in the economy at some point and that’s going to be crucial for us,” Chambliss said. “We also need to put the money in the bank before we spend it. It’s not practical to project what it will be next year and then budget and spend it. These are the things that we do as conservatives – we protect our money, and we pay our bills first.”
Chambliss then moved on what he envisions a gambling commission should look like.
“People on the gambling commission should be prohibited from gambling because the perception of them hitting the jackpot or winning any type of money is simply bad,” Chambliss explained. “They also need to be confirmed before they take the seat – not after. Taking someone off is complicated and really hard to do.”
Finally, Chambliss believes that allotment of money that comes from gambling, whether that be casinos or the lottery, should not just go to the state level.
“In the original bill, it was stated that the prohibition of money going to elected officials would only take place at the state level. I don’t want that. I believe that it should not only go to state officials, but to local officials as well. This can lead to communities having more money to fund education, infrastructure, etc.,” Chambliss said.
Lawmakers are currently on their annual spring-break this week, but with more time to discuss upcoming proposals, legislative leaders have more time to get on the same page moving forward.
“This is my seventh year as a senator for this state, and though the first twelve or so sessions, gambling was discussed in every single one. I’m going to have strong consideration for a bill this time around, but I need to see these items met before I get out of the way and let there be a vote,” Chambliss said.
