Alabama Lawmaker Pushes for Historical Horse Racing Plan

Alabama's ongoing struggle to legalize a state lottery and other forms of gambling for 2025 has hit a roadblock, but one lawmaker is pushing for a compromise. Senator Bobby Singleton’s proposal to legalize historical horse racing (HHR) terminals in Greene County has gained traction, offering a potential interim solution while larger gambling reforms remain in limbo.

The proposal, Senate Bill 90 (SB90), was approved by the state Senate on April 8, 2025, by a vote of 14-1, with 19 abstentions. It now sits in a House committee, where it will be further debated. Singleton, a Democrat from Greene County, argues that the bill is a necessary step to support his local community, which is facing economic challenges and could benefit from the revenue generated by HHR terminals. Under SB90, two racetracks in the county would be authorized to add HHR terminals, provided the operator holds a state pari-mutuel wagering license. This could provide a new source of revenue, with a tax rate of 10% on HHR gaming proceeds, which the legislature could increase to 15% at its discretion.

The proposal also establishes a Greene County Racing Commission to oversee the implementation of the gaming terminals and mandates that the Greene County Commission receive quarterly tax payments up to $50,000. The bill’s passage could usher in a new chapter for Greene County, which has seen economic challenges, and it could set the stage for broader debates on gambling regulation across the state.

 

A Patchwork Approach to Gambling

Despite SB90’s potential benefits for Greene County, the bill has highlighted a growing debate about local control over gambling in Alabama. Some lawmakers, like Senator Greg Albritton, have expressed concerns that allowing counties to establish their own gambling rules could lead to a disjointed and unregulated system. Albritton argues that the state needs a comprehensive and uniform framework to regulate gambling, preventing a patchwork of local laws that could result in inconsistent regulations and missed opportunities for state revenue.

This tension mirrors debates from the past decade, particularly around the issue of electronic bingo. In 2022, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled to shut down electronic bingo operations in several counties, citing concerns about their legality under the state constitution. Critics, including Albritton, worry that SB90 could open the door to more local gaming operations that are not under state oversight.

“There’s a real concern that this bill is just the beginning of a wave of local constitutional amendments that could lead to more gambling without a uniform framework or state control,” Albritton said. He worries that such a system could allow gambling entities to proliferate without adequate regulation or oversight.

However, Singleton counters this concern by emphasizing the immediate needs of Greene County, where the bill has garnered local support. He believes that waiting for a statewide gambling framework to materialize could leave communities like Greene County in the lurch. “With this bill, it’ll give us an opportunity to bring that revenue back up, so that we can be able to do more cost-sharing with more entities in the county,” Singleton said. “It’s going to do a great deal for this county. We’re just trying to do something to keep it alive.”

 

With this bill, it’ll give us an opportunity to bring that revenue back up, so that we can be able to do more cost-sharing with more entities in the county. It’s going to do a great deal for this county. We’re just trying to do something to keep it alive.

The Road Ahead: Local vs. State Control

The debate over gambling regulation in Alabama has been a long-running issue, with past efforts to legalize a state lottery and expand other forms of gaming often stalling in the state legislature. While SB90 could provide Greene County with an immediate solution, its passage may also signal a shift toward greater local control over gambling regulations, as opposed to a statewide, uniform system.

As the House committee continues to review SB90, its fate could shape the direction of future gambling legislation in Alabama. The ongoing tension between local and state control over gambling regulations will likely continue to be a point of contention, as both sides push for their preferred approach.

Should the bill pass, it could set a precedent for other counties to seek similar gaming opportunities, further complicating the issue of gambling regulation across the state. On the other hand, if it fails, it may underscore the challenges of finding a middle ground in the state’s long-running debate over gambling.

The next steps in Montgomery may ultimately decide whether Alabama moves toward a patchwork system of local gambling regulations or takes steps toward a more unified and comprehensive statewide framework. As the issue remains unresolved, all eyes will be on the House committee and the potential implications for Alabama’s gambling future.