Alabama
Alabama gaming legislation officially introduced in Montgomery
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WBRC) – Alabama’s latest attempt to legalize gaming has been officially introduced in the state house. It would provide a way to regulate casinos, a lottery, and sports betting. The new legislation could legalize gaming and allow the state to make money in the gaming industry.
All gaming proceeds will go into the General Fund Budget Reserve until the fund reaches at least $300 million. Right now, the reserve fund is approximately $150 million. After it reaches $300 million, this is how the funds will be distributed:
-95% will go to the Gaming Trust Fund
-3% to the county commissions where the gaming establishment is located.
On the sports betting side, 90% of the revenue will go into the Gaming Trust Fund and 10% to each county commission to be used for law enforcement purposes for each sheriff’s department.
Representative Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City), one of the sponsors of the legislation, says they want to build up budget reserves first before distributing the money elsewhere.
Lawmakers are also proposing that all lottery money goes into the Lottery for Education Fund. The lottery will also have a board of directors.
State leaders believe a lottery could generate $194 million. The proceeds could go to school security, scholarships for two-year community and technical colleges, and dual enrollment, among other things.
Blackshear says this legislation was created from the inside out and he believes that’s how this process should always work.
“Just know a lot of calls will start coming in because a lot of the outside groups are finally getting to see the bill for the very first time which I think is the way it needs to be. We are the elected officials. We are the ones that draft the legislation, and we are the ones that are responsible for it and responsible to the people,” Blackshear said.
Here’s a look at the revenue projections from this legislation:
-Casinos: $298 million – $422 million
-Sports Betting: $10 million
-Lottery: $194 million
-Compact: $300 million
-TOTAL: $802 million – $1.011 billion
It’s important to note, both the bills that lawmakers are proposing would have to be approved by state lawmakers and only then you will have your opportunity to vote on gaming on the November ballot.
It would also establish a gaming commission and an enforcement division of that commission.
“We will hire investigators, auditors, and everything else that we need to do, accountants. We will specifically focus on gaming in Alabama. It will not be a part of ALEA. It will not be a part of the AG’s office. It will be underneath the gaming commission,” said Blackshear.
You can read both bills in their entirety below:
Get news alerts in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here.
Copyright 2024 WBRC. All rights reserved.
SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WALA) – The YMCA of South Alabama held a Healthy Kids Day at Spanish Fort Town Center Park.
Saturday’s event featured games and demonstrations, along with interactive activities featuring police and fire vehicles.
“I think just seeing so many organizations come together that serve kids, and just seeing kids have fun,” said Gwen Summer, CEO of the YMCA of South Alabama.
Marissa Rennaker, director of development for the YMCA of South Alabama, said the event exposed children to new activities.
“I think it’s been seeing all the kids laugh and try different things that they probably haven’t tried before,” Rennaker said. “There was a big group doing pickleball and yoga. We had ballet earlier, so just getting them out and exposed to things, I think it’s been great.”
The event was designed to kick off a healthy, active summer.
The YMCA of South Alabama is located at 27080 Pollard Road in Daphne.
Copyright 2026 WALA. All rights reserved.
Former Alabama star Will Anderson Jr. has reportedly signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Houston Texans, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Anderson instantly solidified himself as one of the top defensive players in football throughout his rookie campaign in 2023. The star defensive end was named as the Rookie of the Year in 2023, as Anderson’s extension will officially keep him in Houston long-term, as well as make him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Anderson recorded an impressive 12 sacks on the Texans’ defensive line in 2025, as the former Alabama star has made history following his head turning extension with Houston.
Anderson was nothing short of a superstar throughout his time at Alabama. Houston drafted the talented lineman with the third overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, as Anderson was widely regarded as one of the top overall selections from his class.
The former Crimson Tide superstar has officially inked a massive extension with the Texans, as Anderson will undoubtedly continue playing a critical role on Houston’s defensive line over the coming seasons.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn said that No. 4 Texas would be “hungry” against the No. 11Crimson Tide coming off its first series loss of the season to Texas A&M.
The Longhorns certainly were, as they pounced all over Vaughn’s team, striking out 17 Alabama batters en route to a 10-2 win.
“The story of the game was they just kind of kicked our tail in every phase tonight,” Vaughn said.
Alabama starter Tyler Fay had been elite over his past four starts, dating back to his complete-game no-hitter against Florida, allowing just six earned runs over the 26.0 innings pitched in those games. That changed instantly on Friday evening, as leadoff batter Aiden Robbins opened the game with a double and catcher Carson Tinney took him deep for a two-run blast moments later.
Texas added a third run in the first off an Ethan Mendoza RBI double, setting the tone for a dominant day. Alabama did not record a hit until the fourth inning as Longhorn ace Dylan Volantis tore through batters, striking out 12 over six innings.
Fay ended up going 5.1 innings, just the second time he did not make it through the sixth. The other, against Auburn, was only due to Vaughn wanting to keep his pitch count down in the wake of the no-hitter. He allowed season-highs of seven earned runs and 12 hits in the loss.
The Longhorns added a run each in the third and the fifth, before Alabama put the slightest amount of pressure on Texas in the top of the sixth. Bryce Fowler and Justin Lebron scored on the basepaths off an error and a wild pitch, respectively, to cut the Texas lead to three runs.
“You’ve got to find ways to score,” Vaughn said. “Those two guys just created two runs for us, and did a great job creating those runs and we crawl back in at 5-2, and it’s like, ‘Let’s go back to work…’ So thought we had that chance in those middle innings.”
The Longhorns effectively put the game to bed in the next frame, responding with three runs as Fay was relieved by Connor Lehman. Texas would add two more runs on the day, with the only silver lining coming in the fact that Alabama avoided a run-rule.
The Crimson Tide has now lost four straight SEC games after winning three consecutive series. Zane Adams takes the mound with the series on the line on Saturday, in a game that has been moved up to 12 p.m. CT due to anticipated rain in Austin.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Threads, and Blue Sky for the latest news.
Follow
-
Lifestyle2 minutes agoSunday Puzzle: For Mimi
-
Technology15 minutes agoThe future of local TV news has taken a Trumpian turn
-
World21 minutes agoPope Leo says remarks about world being ‘ravaged by a handful of tyrants’ were not aimed at Trump: report
-
Politics27 minutes agoTrump renews bridge, power plant threat against Iran in push for deal, mocks ‘tough guy’ IRGC
-
Health33 minutes agoLoneliness may be silently eroding your memory, new research reveals
-
Sports38 minutes agoESPN’s Stephen A Smith hears boos from WrestleMania 42 crowd
-
Technology45 minutes agoChinese robot breaks human world record in Beijing half-marathon
-
Business51 minutes agoCivil case against Alec Baldwin, ‘Rust’ movie producers advances toward a trial