The Alabama Senate has narrowly approved a lottery bill, voting 21-12 on Thursday to advance a proposal that would let voters decide on a state lottery.
The measure, carried by Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore), would create a lottery limited to paper tickets and would not allow video lottery terminals. Senators added amendments aimed at preventing the paper-only requirement from being used to shut down electronic bingo operations at the state’s dog tracks.
Because the proposal is a constitutional amendment, it must clear the House and the Senate again before going before voters. If approved, it would appear on the ballot March 3, 2020. Alabama is one of just five states without a state lottery.