Montgomery, AL (BuzzReport) — Every day, Alabama dollars quietly cross state lines, never to return. They flow into gas stations and convenience stores in Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee, tucked into lottery tickets purchased by Alabamians who are barred from doing the same at home. By conservative estimates, that outflow totals $700 million to $1 billion every year—money that critics say could transform schools, repair failing infrastructure, and strengthen health care across the state.
Yet despite decades of debate and repeated legislative attempts, a Republican-controlled Alabama Legislature continues to block passage of a state lottery, refusing even to allow the question to be placed before voters.
The latest proposal was introduced by Democratic State Rep. Phillip Ensler of Montgomery, reviving a familiar argument: Alabama is voluntarily surrendering hundreds of millions of dollars to neighboring states while simultaneously warning of tight budgets and unmet public needs.
Supporters say the contradiction is impossible to ignore. Lawmakers routinely cite the need to balance the budget, fund education, and maintain roads and bridges. Yet Alabama remains one of only a handful of states without a lottery, even as surrounding states reap massive financial rewards from theirs.
To grasp the scale, consider the numbers. The Florida Lottery recorded more than $9.4 billion in ticket sales in fiscal year 2023–24. The Georgia Lottery and Tennessee Lottery have each generated billions annually, funding education programs, scholarships, and public services—often with money spent by Alabama residents.
Within Alabama, lottery proposals have repeatedly stalled, not because of a lack of potential revenue, but because of political resistance. Even Republican State Sen. Greg Albritton, who is seeking reelection, has seen lottery-related legislation fail due to insufficient support from members of his own party. The breakdown underscores a persistent divide inside the GOP, where moral objections, political calculations, and pressure from outside groups often outweigh fiscal arguments.
Democrats say they are ready to act. Party leaders have voiced support for a lottery framework that dedicates funds to education, health care, and other essential services. Some argue that an education-only lottery, with all proceeds locked into the Alabama Education Trust Fund, could provide immediate relief to strained school systems without expanding general government spending.
Opponents counter with concerns about gambling addiction and the disproportionate impact lotteries can have on lower-income residents. Supporters respond that those same residents already participate in lotteries—just not in Alabama—and that the state gains nothing by pretending otherwise.
Behind the scenes, many advocates point to the power of special interest groups as the true obstacle. Lobbyists representing religious organizations, anti-gambling groups, and other entrenched interests exert significant influence at the State House, often through campaign donations and political pressure. Critics argue that this influence has repeatedly overridden the will of the public, which polls have long shown favors at least allowing voters to decide the issue themselves.
“So the question is simple,” said Larry Crowder, a lifelong Alabama resident who supports a lottery for education and infrastructure. “Who are these politicians really representing—the people or the special interests? They promise to put Alabama first, but the money keeps leaving the state.”
As Alabama faces growing challenges—from underfunded classrooms to aging roads and rising health care demands—the cost of inaction continues to mount. Each year without a lottery is another year of lost opportunity, another year of revenue exported to neighboring states.
Whether Alabama lawmakers will finally allow voters to weigh in remains uncertain. But as billions continue to slip away, the debate is no longer just about gambling—it is about priorities, accountability, and who ultimately gets to decide the state’s future.