Rep. Phillip Ensler announces ‘clean’ Alabama lottery bill

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Lottery and other gambling bills make for perennial issues in the Alabama Legislature, and the 2026 session is no different.

Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, announced at a press conference Wednesday afternoon his intention to file a ‘clean’ lottery bill. The bill addresses only a lottery, not casinos or online sports gambling.

Ensler’s bill would give Alabamians the opportunity in the November election to vote on whether they want a statewide lottery. If voters approve a lottery, the money generated would flow into three buckets: rebate checks for Alabamians, public education and health care.

“The fact is that the people of Alabama haven’t had a chance to vote on a lottery in 28 years, even though poll after poll show that roughly 70% of voters support it,” Ensler said.

Ensler, who is running for lieutenant governor this year, estimated that the lottery could generate as much as $300 million per year, which could alleviate some of the state’s financial stress as budget leaders anticipate a 4.2% decline in revenue for the 2027 fiscal year.

“The state of Alabama needs more sources of revenue to meet its obligations, but there also is a wide consensus that no one wants to see their taxes go up, especially during these times of economic uncertainty,” Ensler said at the press conference.

The rebate checks would help Alabamians pay increasingly costly utility bills and keep up with rising grocery prices, he said.

House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter has said he does not want the House to take up any gambling legislation again this term after a major 2024 effort on the issue stalled in the Senate.

Ensler joined Capitol Journal host Todd Stacy Wednesday night to discuss his bill, calling it a “no brainer” to increase revenue for the state.

“This bill would allow the state to recoup the millions of dollars that are being spent outside of Alabama by people from Alabama who are purchasing lotto tickets in surrounding states,” Ensler told Stacy. “That’s money that could be spent right here. The people out of Alabama want more money in their pockets to pay their bills. They want hospitals to stay open, and they want quality public schools.”

Ensler’s lottery bill is not the only one popping up this session. Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, filed Senate Bill 257, a more comprehensive gaming bill, last month.

Ensler said he expects the bill to be filed Thursday morning.

https://www.wsfa.com/video/2026/02/13/alabama-lawmaker-files-new-lottery-bill/