{"id":1601183,"date":"2024-10-18T10:58:40","date_gmt":"2024-10-18T14:58:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/?p=1601183"},"modified":"2024-10-18T10:58:40","modified_gmt":"2024-10-18T14:58:40","slug":"alabama-pre-filled-bill-would-increase-penalties-for-illegal-gambling-operations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/news\/alabama-pre-filled-bill-would-increase-penalties-for-illegal-gambling-operations\/","title":{"rendered":"Alabama Pre-Filled Bill Would Increase Penalties for Illegal Gambling Operations"},"content":{"rendered":"

A pre-filed bill for the 2025 Alabama legislative session would increase penalties for running or owning an illegal gambling operation. Rep. Matthew Hammett (R-Dozier)<\/a> is one of many lawmakers wanting to crack down on illegal gambling.<\/p>\n

Current penalty for running or owning an illegal gambling operation in Alabama is a Class A misdemeanor<\/h2>\n

In Covington County, a convenience store owner was discovered selling scratch-off tickets<\/a>. Hammett says the current penalties are not harsh enough. This typically leads to repeat offenders.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had some in the store, and they sent in Opp Police Chief [Kevin] Chance. Him and the district attorney went in and got him,\u201d Hammett told CBS 42 News.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd they said they\u2019ll be back up in six months \u2019cause it was just a misdemeanor. All we can do is just slap [them] on the wrist.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since the current penalty is a Class A misdemeanor, Alabama residents are more likely to continue running illegal gambling operations. Hammett hopes to make that a Class C felony and a minimum fine of $1,000.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not going after these people that\u2019s operating under a constitutional amendment, like dog or horse tracks,\u201d Hammett said. \u201cThat\u2019s not the purpose of this bill. It\u2019s strictly for these illegal operations outside of the CA\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

An all-encompassing bill could solve the problem<\/h2>\n

Other lawmakers believe an all-inclusive bill would eliminate offshore sportsbooks and other unlicensed operators.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe think the issue of gaming in Alabama should be addressed in a comprehensive manner,\u201d said Rep. Sam Jones (D-Mobile)<\/a>. \u201cSo we can cover all bases as it relates to dealing with illegal gaming \u2014 as well as legal gaming \u2014 in the state.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jones also added that this particular problem won\u2019t go away unless it\u2019s finally addressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe problem with not doing a comprehensive proposal to address it and passing a comprehensive proposal \u2014 you see a lot of piece mill efforts,\u201d said Jones. \u201cAnd then those efforts are challenged at the Supreme Court and they\u2019re challenging court for years. And we still don\u2019t get what we\u2019re looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hammett made it a point to say that unregulated betting should be a bipartisan issue for Alabamians.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just padding the pockets of these illegal operators, and I hope we can all come together. Like I said earlier, no matter what side of the gambling issue you were on, we all agree there\u2019s a tremendous problem of illegal gambling in the state,\u201d remarked Hammett. \u201cAnd this bill is an effort to try and do something about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rep. Jones mentioned that last session\u2019s gambling bill failed by one vote, which would have created an enforcement arm for operations. The bill is expected to go before lawmakers when the next Alabama legislative session starts in February.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A pre-filed bill for the 2025 Alabama legislative session would increase penalties for running or owning an illegal gambling operation. Rep. Matthew Hammett (R-Dozier) is one of many lawmakers wanting to crack down on illegal gambling. Current penalty for running or owning an illegal gambling operation in Alabama is a Class A misdemeanor In Covington […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":305,"featured_media":1601194,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[447607],"tags":[66144,447423,447424],"class_list":["post-1601183","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gambling","tag-gambling","tag-main-page","tag-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAlabama Pre-Filled Bill Would Raise Penalties for Illegal Gambling<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A pre-filed bill for the 2025 Alabama legislative session would increase penalties for owning an illegal gambling operation. Rep. 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