MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) -- The original sponsors of last session's comprehensive gambling bill told CBS 42 that the issue is not going away and it is very much still on the table.
"It is here. It is here to stay," said Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) about illegal gambling in the state. "And the only thing we can do in Alabama is try to grasp control of that industry so we can protect the public and be a beneficiary of it."
Sen. Albritton originally sponsored the gambling bill in the Senate but voted against it. He said it'll be hard to find a lawmaker who will sponsor a comprehensive bill after it didn't pass last year.
"Going from a lottery only to the comprehensive plan, to everything in between- and we haven't been able to garnish the votes in both houses," explained Sen. Albritton.
Rep. Sam Jones (D-Mobile) sponsored the gambling bill in the House. He said he'd be open to working on the bill again across both aisles and chambers.
"And when it got to the Senate, a lot of discussion took place," he said. "And someone there didn't agree with something in it, and it didn't make it before the people. The people never got an opportunity to vote on it. Really, never got an opportunity to digest it."
Jones said getting it before the people also means working with other groups, like the Poarch Creek Indians. "I don't know if we really addressed everything they'd like to see. But you know, I think that those discussions can continue. I don't see any reasons why they shouldn't continue," said Sen. Jones. "Since they're already in the business here in the state."
Political Analyst Steve Flowers said there is more to the story with the Poarch Creek's purchase of the Birmingham Racecourse and Casino. "This move tells me they're getting ready to move," said Flowers. "And if they get out of the way or get behind casino gambling, it'll pass. "It won't pass with the governor's strength. The governor doesn't have the strength the casinos do."
Flowers explained the Poarch Creeks have a lot of say in the gambling legislation. "They may sit back and say 'when the timing's right'," he said. "They've secured their future. If you're going to have casino gambling in the state, the Birmingham location is the golden goose."
Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest) also sponsored last session's gambling bill. He said the House has proven that they can and are willing to pass a gaming bill. He said he expects several gaming bills to be introduced, but he is not working on any legislation.