Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville said he would not block legal gambling in Alabama if elected on November 3, but wants any expansion developed as a single package with the governor’s office and sent to voters in a referendum.
Tuberville made the comments this week on Alabama Public Television’s “Capitol Journal.” He said he is not a gambler and that either outcome would be fine with him.
Tuberville said the governor’s office should be involved in how any gambling plan is assembled. He said the governor’s office and the Legislature should “put it all together” before anything goes to voters, whether it covers a lottery, casinos or both.
“I want to do what the people of Alabama want to do,” Tuberville said, adding that he has told people he will not stand in the way of legalization. He said he is not interested in a piece-by-piece approach and estimated a full package would take “a year or so.”
He also called Alabama’s medical marijuana rollout a disaster and said he wants to avoid repeating those mistakes. He did not describe specific provisions for casinos, a lottery or sports betting.
Alabama has no state lottery or legal sports betting. In 2024, the House passed a comprehensive package from Rep. Chris Blackshear, House Bills 151 and 152, covering a lottery, casinos and sports betting. The Senate narrowed it to a lottery and limited electronic gaming, and that compromise failed by a single vote in the Senate.
Lawmakers have not passed a gambling measure in three consecutive sessions, including 2026. Any lottery or casino proposal would require the Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Alabama has not held a statewide lottery vote since 1999.
Tuberville has previously said lawmakers, not the governor, should put gambling before voters. He has also acknowledged that Alabama loses revenue to neighboring states with lotteries.
Democratic nominee Doug Jones supports letting Alabamians vote on a state lottery, and his campaign agenda includes a standalone lottery vote. Jones has said he would support a broader gambling bill but would push for a lottery even if a larger package could not pass. In January, he also listed legalizing online sports betting among his campaign priorities.
Both candidates say voters should decide on a lottery, but they differ in emphasis. Jones is promoting a lottery as a campaign priority, while Tuberville is stressing a single package and a governor’s role in shaping it.
Campaign finance records show Tuberville’s campaign has received contributions from gambling interests this year. They include $10,000 from a Florida casino operator, the first direct casino contribution to an Alabama political campaign since 2014, and contributions from sweepstakes operator VGW, reported at $30,000 in March and $100,000 in August.
Tuberville had about $9.5 million in cash on hand at the end of August, compared with about $2.5 million for Jones. The contributions do not show any commitment on gambling policy, and no Tuberville position on sweepstakes casinos was found.
Alabama voters will choose between Tuberville and Jones on November 3. The next governor will inherit a debate over whether to put a lottery or a larger gambling package on the ballot.
Tuberville’s “year or so” estimate suggests a package would not reach voters immediately after the election.
