MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — A pre-filed bill for Alabama's 2025 legislative session would increase penalties for owning an illegal gambling operation.
Rep. Matthew Hammett (R-Dozier) is one of many lawmakers wanting to crack down on illegal gambling. In Covington County, a convenience store owner was discovered selling scratch-off tickets. Hammett says the current penalties don't go far enough, leading to re-offenders.
"We had some in the store, and they sent in Opp Police Chief [Kevin] Chance. Him and the district attorney went in and got him," recalled Hammett. "And they said they'll be back up in six months 'cause it was just a misdemeanor. All we can do is just slap [them] on the wrist.'"
Right now, the penalty is a Class A misdemeanor. Hammett hopes to make that a Class C felony and a minimum fine of $1,000.
"We're not going after these people that's operating under a constitutional amendment, like dog or horse tracks," Hammett said. "That's not the purpose of this bill. It's strictly for these illegal operations outside of the CA's."
Some said those operations need to be tackled through an all-encompassing bill.
"We think the issue of gaming in Alabama should be addressed in a comprehensive manner," said Rep. Sam Jones (D-Mobile). "So we can cover all bases as it relates to dealing with illegal gaming -- as well as legal gaming -- in the state."
Jones said he worked for 18 months on a gambling bill that did not pass during the last legislative session. While he has not read Hammett's bill, Jones explains the issue won't go away unless it's addressed once and for all.
"The problem with not doing a comprehensive proposal to address it and passing a comprehensive proposal -- you see a lot of piece mill efforts," said Jones. "And then those efforts are challenged at the Supreme Court and they're challenging court for years. And we still don't get what we're looking for."
Hammett said it's about shutting down illegal gambling operations.
"It's just padding the pockets of these illegal operators, and I hope we can all come together. Like I said earlier, no matter what side of the gambling issue you were on, we all agree there's a tremendous problem of illegal gambling in the state," remarked Hammett. "And this bill is an effort to try and do something about it."
Rep. Jones explained that last session's gambling bill failed by one vote, which would have created an enforcement arm for operations. The bill will go before lawmakers when the next legislative session starts in February.