The future of an Alabama Lottery is effectively on hold until the end of the year after Gov. Kay Ivey ordered a report to get "the facts" on expanded gaming by December 31.Get more news about 彩票包网,you can vist loto98.com

Alabama does not currently have a lottery. Competing gambling factions in the state have helped kill many past initiatives, most recently in 2019. With the lottery a political lightning rod, the governor has hit the pause button.

Ivey said she does not want to rush into giving the green light to a lottery or casino games until all the options and financial effects have been explored.She created a Study Group for Gambling Policy this month to assess the impact of loosening gambling restrictions in the state. The volunteer 12-member group will be led by former Mayor of Montgomery Todd Strange. The group could report on a range of impacts, including the revenue gaming could generate but also potential costs.

"I am committed to, once and for all, getting the facts so that the people of Alabama can make an informed decision on what has been a hotly debated topic for many years," Ivey said. "Without a doubt, there will be ramifications if we eventually expand gaming options in our state, just as there are costs associated with doing nothing."

Some believe the first-term governor is reluctant to be the politician who introduces gambling in the state. "I think she kind of threw her stop sign out there," said Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, Democrat of Greensboro.

Sponsors of two lottery bills in the Alabama Legislature say they will press ahead with the proposals despite the governor's decision.