While several other states such as Illinois and Utah are closer to regulating and taxing gambling to generate much-needed revenues, Alabama’s State Senator Hank Erwin, Jr. introduced a constitutional amendment last week to ban most games of chance for residents.
Verbiage of the bill sayd: “The legislature shall have no power to authorize any gambling activity, including, but not limited to, lotteries, or gift enterprises, or any other games of chance, including, but not limited to, pari-mutuel wagering for any purposes, and such activity shall be illegal.”
Poker has recently been declared a game of skill in several states.
Senator Hank Erwin bill specifically excludes business transactions.
Because Erwin’s amendment alters the text of Section 65 of the Alabama Constitution, it must be approved by three-fifths of the members of the House of Representatives and Senate.