Alabama

Lawmakers hear pros, cons on plan for lottery, casinos

Published

2 years ago

February 13, 2024

Lawmakers hear pros, cons on plan for lottery, casinos

A new plan to let Alabama voters decide whether to approve a lottery, casinos, and legal sports betting was up for discussion for the first time Tuesday afternoon in the Legislature and drew a crowd that packed the largest committee room in the State House.

The House Economic Development and Tourism Committee held a one-hour public hearing on the two-bill package introduced by Republican lawmakers who spent more than a year preparing the legislation.

About 20 people spoke, including some who supported the legislation, some opposed, and some there to advocate for specific uses of the state revenue that would result if the legislation is approved.

Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Madison, chairman of the committee and one of the sponsors of the legislation, said the committee would vote on the bills Wednesday. Committee approval would put the legislation in position for a vote on the House floor as early as Thursday.

It would take 63 votes, three-fifths of the House, to approve the proposed constitutional amendment and send it to the Senate. No lottery bill has cleared the Legislature and reached the voters since 1999.

State Treasurer Young Boozer spoke in favor of the legislation. Boozer served on a gambling policy study group appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey that issued a report in December 2020. Boozer said the legislation appeared to be based on that report.

“My summary of the study of this bill is, gaming will work in Alabama, and it will be worth it,” Boozer said.

The fiscal note for the bill prepared by the Legislative Services Agency estimated the state would receive net revenues of $935 million to $1.2 billion from the lottery, casinos, and sports betting.

Boozer said it would take a couple of years to reach those numbers.

“Alabama is late to the game,” Boozer said. “Lotteries are offered by 45 states. Casinos with Class III gaming (slots and table games) are operating in 44 states. And sports betting is legal now in 38 states.”

Ivey has also expressed her support for the legislation.

Other speakers said the legislation could fund important programs in Alabama, like mental health care, veterans services, scholarships to community colleges and technical colleges, and support for a trust fund for retired education employees.

But opponents of the legislation said gambling revenues were a poor way to fund those services, partly because of the problems caused by gambling addictions. Two men told the committee about how their addictions and the disruptions in caused in their lives.

“We can all agree that we’re in a mental health crisis in the state of Alabama,” said Stephanie Smith, president and CEO of the Alabama Policy Institute. “Let’s not add to it with something that in every state where it has been studied has actually increased the mental problems in the state.”

Vestavia Hills City Council member Kimberly Cooke, noting that one of the casinos would be in Birmingham, said it would hurt her city.

“Gambling, drugs and prostitution thrive in casinos,” Cooke said. “As addictive as cocaine, gambling drives people to anxiety, depression, and suicide.”

Cooke said the ability to bet on sporting events on cellphones would pose a new risk for young people.

“Sports betting apps advertise for kids and quite literally steal their lunch money,” Cooke said. “This is an epidemic in our country.”

Cooke urged the committee to reject the legislation.

“Parents in Vestavia are having a hard enough time raising their children. Please, don’t make it harder,” she said.

Christian Genetsky, president of the online gambling company FanDuel, spoke in favor of the legislation and said FanDuel is diligent about blocking underage players. Genetsky, a Birmingham native, said his company has about 12 million users in the states that have legalized sports betting. He said there is strong demand in Alabama.

“Last year there were two million attempts to place a legal bet here in Alabama, and every single one of those was blocked,” Genetsky said, “And when those users were blocked from betting the legal market, they drove to Tennessee, Mississippi, or Florida, where sports betting is legal, or they simply switched to one of the illegal, offshore sites that’s already available.

“What’s different about legal operators like FanDuel and illegal offshore sites? Most critically, we are committed to ensuring the integrity of sports, that all of our customers play responsibly, and that no one underage can access our platform.”

The bill would create the Alabama Gaming Commission, which would oversee a new state agency that would include a law enforcement division. The commission could license up to seven casinos that could offer the full range of Las Vegas-style games, such as slot machines, blackjack, craps and roulette.

Six of the casinos would be designated for Birmingham, Mobile County, Macon County, Greene County, Lowndes County, and Houston County. The legislation says there would be an open bid process for those licenses, with a minimum license fee of $5 million and minimum investment of $35 million.

The seventh casino would be contingent on the governor negotiating a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. A compact would allow the Poarch Creeks to have a casino in northeast Alabama in addition to those now operating on tribal lands in Atmore, Wetumpka, and Montgomery.

Robert McGhee, vice chair of the Poarch Band, signed up to speak as an opponent of the legislation. McGhee said people should be able to vote on gambling in Alabama and said the tribe is interested in negotiating a compact.

But McGhee said the tribe had concerns about how the legislation was written. One concern, McGhee said, was that it says the governor “may” enter a compact with the tribe, leaving that uncertain, and did not provide any timeframe for that to happen.

McGhee said he was also concerned about limiting the tribe’s options for a new casino location to northeast Alabama.

Read more: What’s in new lottery, casinos bill in Alabama Legislature?

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Alabama

Circuit Judge Collins Pettaway, Jr. steps down after 13 years on the bench

Published

9 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Circuit Judge Collins Pettaway, Jr. steps down after 13 years on the bench

SELMA, Ala. (WSFA) – After more than a decade serving Alabama’s fourth judicial circuit, Judge Collins Pettaway, Jr. is stepping away from full-time service, closing a chapter that spans nearly four decades in the legal profession.

Pettaway was elected to the bench in 2012 and served in several counties including Dallas, Wilcox, Perry, Hale and Bibb counties, the largest geographical circuit in the state.

Now, he says, it was simply time.

“I never wanted to serve in that capacity forever,” Pettaway said “And plus, I wanted to also make room for some younger, brighter minds to come forward.”

Before becoming a judge, Pettaway practiced law in Selma for nearly 30 years after being licensed in 1985. During that time, he handled cases that helped shape Alabama law; something he says he didn’t fully appreciate until colleagues reflected on his impact.

“I handled several cases which actually affected and changed the direction of the state of the law in our state,” he added. “And I didn’t realize I did all that.”

Friends and fellow legal professionals once presented him with research showing his involvement in Alabama Supreme Court cases that made significant changes in state law; a moment he describes as both surprising and humbling.

During his time on the bench, Pettaway says one of his priorities was maintaining professionalism and respect within the legal system.

He often referenced the Alabama State Bar’s Lawyer’s Creed — a pledge attorneys take promising to treat even their opponents with civility and understanding.

“In that creed, you are promising that you’re gonna treat even your opponents with civility and with kindness and understanding.”

Pettaway says he believes the legal profession — and society at large — must continue working toward a culture rooted in respect and service.

Although stepping away from full-time duties, Pettaway says he is not completely leaving the legal field. He has transitioned to retired active status and plans to assist with cases when needed, while also returning to private practice.

He says this new chapter is about balance.

After decades shaping courtrooms across five counties, Pettaway says he is focused on health, perspective and trusting the next generation to carry the bench forward.

Governor Kay Ivey has appointed former Assistant District Attorney Bryan Jones to serve the remainder of Pettaway’s six-year term.

Jones previously served as senior chief trial attorney under District Attorney Robert Turner Jr. and has also led the Fourth Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force.

The transition marks a new era for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, while closing a significant chapter in its recent history.

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Alabama

Detroit Lions meet with Alabama star OL at NFL combine

Published

21 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Detroit Lions meet with Alabama star OL at NFL combine

As the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine nears its conclusion, the Detroit Lions continue to work to identify potential fits for the franchise.

The Lions own pick No. 17 in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. Though Taylor Decker recently announced his return for the 2026 season, Detroit could still be thinking offensive line in the draft’s opening round.

If the Lions opt to fortify their offensive line, one name to watch for Detroit is Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor. A Lions scout pulled Proctor aside to talk at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January.

Now, Proctor confirmed to Crunch Time Sports that he met with the Lions at the NFL combine.

Proctor started 40 games across his Crimson Tide career, missing just the first two games of the 2024 season with injury.

The 6-foot-7, 366-pound lineman was Alabama’s highest-graded player last season with an overall offensive grade of 85.9, per Pro Football Focus. Proctor had a pass-blocking grade of 84.2, a run blocking grade of 81.1 and allowed just two sacks during the 2025 college football season.

For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Josh on X, @JoshOnLions

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Alabama

Alabama lawmakers react to U.S. early morning military strike on Iran

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Alabama lawmakers react to U.S. early morning military strike on Iran

Alabama lawmakers are weighing in with their opinion after Donald Trump announced that the United States conducted a military strike on Iran overnight.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey responded to a video from the White House X account announcing that we’ve taken military action.

“Strong leadership requires hard decisions,” Ivey posted to X. “This is exactly how we will achieve peace through strength. As @POTUS said, our Armed Forces WILL prevail. May God continue to bless the brave men and women in our military! And may God bless President Trump and our great country.”

Congressman Robert Aderholt said in his own statement that he stands with Trump’s decision. The statement released earlier today, Saturday, Feb. 8, encouraged Trump for taking military action.

“For five decades, Iran has openly called for ‘death to America,’” Aderholt wrote. “I remember clearly when they orchestrated the deaths of 241 U.S. Marines in Beirut in 1983. In the years since, the regime has continued pursuing nuclear capabilities that threaten the United States and our allies. I stand with President Trump has he leads these strikes. May God bless the members of our armed forces carrying out these operations”

In addition to being the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, Aderholt is also a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall echoed similar sentiment to Aderholt. He cites the same quote.

“For 47 years the vicious Iranian regime has chanted ‘death to America,’” Marshall wrote. “It’s time for swift and decisive action. May God bless the men and women of the Armed Forces. May God bless America.”

Senator Katie Boyd Britt says she echoes Trump’s message from earlier this morning.

“Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism,” Britt said on X. “For 47 years, this murderous regime has operated a terror network that has brought death and destruction to the world and slaughtered innocent Americans. Iran’s nuclear ambitions, ballistic missile capabilities, and funding of proxy terror groups pose a sustained and clear threat to our nation, to our military bases and citizens in the region, and to our allies. This is a defining moment of generational leadership from President Trump to achieve sustainable peace. We are praying for the safety of our men and women in uniform and I echo @POTUS’s message this morning: God bless and protect all of our heroes in harm’s way executing this mission.”

Coach and Senator Tommy Tubberville tweeted, “President Trump has shown time and time again, you NEVER threaten America. God bless our great troops, god bless President Trump, and God bless America.”

U.S. Representative for 1st Congressional District of Alabama Barry Moore responded in a Facebook post.

“May God bless our men and women in uniform,” Moore posted. “Please join me in praying for strength, wisdom, and safety for President Donald J. Trump and all of those keeping our nation safe.”

United States Congresswoman Terri Sewell representing Alabama’s 7th District offered one of the few dissenting opinions from local lawmakers and politicians. Although she acknowledges Iran’s history, Sewell expresses her concern for the lives of U.S. citizens now that peace talks have been abandoned.

“Iran has oppressed their people and supported terrorism in the region for decades,” Sewell said in an official statement. “This fact does not change the President’s obligation under the Constitution to work with Congress on military actions that put our troops in harm’s way and could drag our country into another prolonged war in the Middle East.”

Sewell goes on to say that she’ll work with Congress to arrange a vote on a war powers resolution.

“I am also calling on the Administration to immediately provide a briefing on this ongoing military action, including their justification for abandoning diplomatic talks, as as their strategy for avoiding an extended regional conflict that is not supported by the American people,” Sewell continued. “I am praying for all the service members in the region and their families.”

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