Another lottery bill is coming.
State Representative Phillip Ensler announced on Wednesday that he plans to file a lottery bill in the coming days, fulfilling a promise that Democrats made to voters prior to the 2026 Legislative Session.
“We’re doing this for a few reasons,” Ensler said in a video announcing the legislation. “The state is missing out on hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue that could benefit you.”
Prior to the session, Democrats pledged to focus on a few key issues, among them were giving Alabamians an opportunity to vote on implementing a lottery and other gambling and also figuring out ways, despite Republican control, to make life more affordable for average workers.
Ensler’s lottery proposal will apparently do both.
While the details of the legislation have not yet been revealed, Ensler said he wants the proceeds to go first to Alabamians, then to health care and finally to education. Previous lottery legislation has estimated tax revenues from a statewide lottery could generate up to $400 million annually.
“We’re going to use the money from (the lottery) to help pay for three different things,” Ensler said. “First, rebate checks to send to you to help you afford and pay your bills. Secondly, we want to fund health care—affordable health care—and keep hospitals open. And then, third, the money will go towards public education. So everything from pay and benefits for teachers and retirees, and particularly college and technical trade scholarships, that will help people be able to send their children to college or a technical trade school and get an even better advanced education.”
Lottery-only legislation remains particularly popular with Alabama voters, with over 70 percent of Alabamians professing some support for a lottery. However, it also has historically been the most difficult type of gambling legislation to pass, because it has usually been opposed by established gambling entities in the state.
There is some indication, though, that those views could be softening and there could be a pathway for such legislation. On the other hand, Republican leaders in the House have privately made it clear that they don’t plan to entertain gaming bills this session, believing that such legislation could be another boost to Democrats should a gambling-related constitutional amendment appear on the ballot come election time in November.
