Illegal gambling is a growing concern for Alabama. While lawmakers’ efforts to legalize gambling continue, valuable tax revenue is flowing to nearby states or worse, benefits the illegal gambling sector. State Rep. Andy Whitt is among the lawmakers who support changes to Alabama’s regulations, and he recently unveiled plans for a new bill that seeks to repeal the illegal gambling sector in the state.

As announced by WSFA, Whitt has been actively engaged in the issue and has so far visited 45 illegal gambling venues across the state together with law enforcement. He supported the idea for the development of a robust framework for legal gambling in Alabama.

Such legislation, Whitt said, needs to tackle illegal gambling. He confirmed his plans for a new bill that would result in “blanket penalties” for anyone involved in illegal gambling activities.

Moreover, Whitt spoke about the growing threat of the black market, explaining that illegal gambling boosts other criminal activities like drug use or violent crimes. “You name it, it’s probably there in those casinos. And we need to make sure that we work to get that cleaned up,” he said.

While the debate on gaming legalization continues, earlier this month, Whitt once again warned about the dangers illegal gaming operators pose. “When a person can walk into a convenience store that is only a few blocks from our State’s Capitol and purchase a scratch-off ticket, then yeah, we have a big problem,” he said at the time.

Still, it is yet to be confirmed when Whitt’s proposal will be up for debate. It is likely Alabama lawmakers to pick up this topic during the upcoming regular legislative season.

Legal Gambling to Bring Benefits to Alabama

Besides tax revenue flowing out of state, illegal gambling poses a threat for the customers as well. This is because black market operators are not required to comply with responsible gambling tools or even self-exclusion. As a result, people addicted to gambling can spend thousands of dollars or accumulate significant debt.

House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, another supporter of gambling legalization in Alabama, confirmed earlier this month that the regulated gambling sector can bring significant financial benefits. According to him, those proceeds can provide vital funding for communities as well as different public programs.

Ledbetter has been supporting the legalization of gambling for a few years. He previously confirmed that many residents of the state already participate in gambling, suggesting that a legal sector can also help protect gamblers from different criminal activities related to the illegal gaming sector.

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A proposed ballot referendum petition aimed at repealing public funding for a new Major League Baseball (MLB) stadium in Las Vegas has been rejected by a Carson City judge. 

Nevada Judge Deems A’s Stadium Ballot Initiative ‘Legally Deficient’

The ballot initiative, challenged by the teacher union-led political action committee (PAC) known as “Schools Over Stadiums,” sought to ask voters whether to approve or reject $380 million in public financing for a $1.5 billion, 33,000-seat stadium on the Las Vegas Strip, intended to be the new home for the relocated Oakland A’s.

During the hearing, Judge Russell emphasized that the issue at hand was the adherence to state law governing the referendum process, reported The Nevada Independent. He pointed out that the petition’s description of the measure’s effect was unclear. Russell further stated that the referendum petition was legally deficient because it did not provide the full text of the measure when gathering necessary signatures, as mandated by the Nevada Constitution.

The ruling means that the “Schools Over Stadiums” PAC can either submit a new referendum petition or appeal the decision to the Nevada Supreme Court. However, any signatures gathered under the rejected petition would be invalidated.

Representatives from the PAC expressed their intention to appeal the decision, indicating their resolve to continue the legal battle. Chris Daly of the Nevada State Education Association, the teachers’ union sponsoring the petition, stated that it seemed they would have to appeal to the Supreme Court or refile their petition.

MLB Owners Await A’s Relocation Decision Amidst Stadium Funding Concerns

The rejected petition, if successful, would not have prevented the A’s from relocating to Las Vegas. Instead, it would have increased team owner John Fisher’s share of the stadium costs, currently standing at $1.1 billion.

In October it emerged that Gaming and Leisure Properties (GLPI), a real estate investment trust, is reportedly considering increasing its investment in the Las Vegas baseball stadium to be built on the site of Tropicana Las Vegas. The $1.5 billion project, supported by the Nevada government, has received $175 million from GLPI.

Meanwhile, MLB owners are expected to approve the A’s planned move during their upcoming winter meetings in Arlington, Texas. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred had previously emphasized the significance of the referendum’s outcome, indicating that any adverse development related to the referendum would be of great importance.

The new MLB stadium will be constructed on the site of the Tropicana Las Vegas casino, which shall have to be demolished as soon as late 2024. The stadium, primarily funded by the Oakland A’s with a cost of around $400 million, aims to be ready for the 2028 season.

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