Special Session Day 3: Lottery Bill Stalls in the Senate

A lottery bill has quickly stalled in the Alabama Senate amid deep disagreements among lawmakers over gambling.

Senators debated a lottery bill for several hours Wednesday before giving up and moving on to other bills.

Gov. Robert Bentley brought lawmakers into special session to consider a lottery as a way to fund the state’s Medicaid program. The legislation faltered amid disagreements over whether to also allow slot machine-type games at state dog tracks and staunch opposition from a handful of senators to legalized gambling.

Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said Wednesday that a lottery bill did not have 21 votes needed to get through the Alabama Senate.

Alabama is one of six states without a lottery.

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