Sports Betting Briefs: Don't Hold Your Breath on Alabama
Alabama Getting Closer to Legalizing Sports Betting (But) - A four-package bill has just gotten through Alabama Senate after falling short by two votes. All it took was a little tweaking.
The bill isn't just about sports wagering. It includes casino expansion and would require a voter referendum.
The measure moves to the House of Representatives, where Speaker Mac McCutcheon said there will be careful review but that it is a priority to vote before the legislative session ends May 17.
Here is what else you need to know:
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Constitution does not allow the Legislature to approve a lottery or other games of chance, hence the amendment going to ballot.
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The amendment would NOT go on the ballot until November 2022. This means that Tide fans will have to continue betting with their favorite offshore books, local bookie or head to neighboring Mississippi.
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The plan sets up an Alabama Gaming Commission to oversee the lottery, casinos, sports betting, and bingo.
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The legislation requires the governor to enter a compact with the Poarch Creeks. A compact would allow the tribe to have full-fledged casinos and sports betting in Atmore, Wetumpka, and Montgomery.
- Casinos would be welcome in designated locations that would include slot machines, table games such as blackjack, craps, and roulette, and electronic games such as video poker.
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The constitutional amendment authorizes the Gaming Commission to approve sports betting in person at the casinos or through an internet platform or a mobile app.
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The minimum age would be 21.
New Jersey Reports $859.6 Million in Sports Betting Handle for the Month of March -
From EliteSportsNY:
No state has ever crested $1 billion in sports betting handle in a single month and several industry experts predicted New Jersey may topple the number in March due to increased interest from the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. While the tournament did help increase the total March handle by over $100 million from the February mark, it did not come close to the record number the state set of $996 million in December 2020.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
