Two Alabama House Democrats said that they have filed or plan to file lottery and gambling bills, though passage may be difficult as the 2026 legislative session approaches the halfway mark.
Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, is pushing for a bill he’s calling the “Clean Lottery Act.” Ensler said the bill, a constitutional amendment, would establish a lottery in the state, though he did not discuss details. The bill had not been filed as of Wednesday afternoon. Ensler, who is running for Alabama lieutenant governor, said the proposal would fund public education, increase funding for rural health care and allow rebate checks to be sent to Alabamians.
“This bill would allow the state to recoup the millions of dollars that are being spent outside of Alabama, by people from Alabama who are purchasing lottery tickets from surrounding states,” Ensler said Wednesday.
House Bill 262, sponsored by Rep. Kelvin Lawrence, D-Montgomery, would allow pari-mutuel betting, or pool betting, to take place in six counties in the state.
“This bill will ensure that these sites are regulated and appropriately taxed in order to provide a much-needed revenue source for our state, as well as our local communities,” Lawrence said.