Alabama Committee Approves Lottery Bills

MONTGOMERY, Al. (AP) – A Senate committee has approved dueling lottery bills as lawmakers try to strike a compromise on gambling.

The Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee on Tuesday afternoon approved two lottery bills. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said the bills were a work in progress and he wanted a vehicle for negotiations on the Senate floor.

Republican Sen. Jim McClendon is the sponsor of both bills. One bill backed by Gov. Robert Bentley would authorize a state lottery. The other also would allow electronic lottery terminals, which can resemble slot machines, at four state dog tracks.

The Senate could vote on the bills as soon as Wednesday.

Bentley has proposed a state lottery to provide money to the state’s general fund budget.