A state lottery may finally become legal in Alabama this year, with tribal casino expansion plans offering to support a lottery, according to a Fantini Research report.

The National Legislative Preview, published by industry journal Fantini Research, reports that a $1bn offer from The Poarch Creek would see expansion for its casinos to include Class III gaming, which supports a state lottery.

The plan would promise $350m in projected tax revenue. The state is one of just five currently without a lottery, with legislation failing in the past two years.

The findings of the report also suggest a state-wide referendum is expected to allow casinos, racetracks and sports betting in Georgia, while Northern Virginia could get an additional $155m in tax revenue if legislation passes for a casino.

Sports betting is set to become available in Michigan within the next 12 months, after the state enacted legislation that legalizes sports wagering for both commercial and tribal casinos, which could serve as a model for others to follow.

Federal legislation has also been introduced to pave the way for tribes to offer online sports betting without violating the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. 

California could be set for change, with hearings set to begin later this month into a state-wide sports betting referendum.

A Horse Racing Integrity Act is being considered, which would create an independent anti-doping authority to oversee a nationwide drug control program for horse racing, with 53% participating in a Reuters survey supporting the move.

Fantini’s review, compiled by its public policy editor Laura Briggs, examines the key issues facing the gaming industry in 2020, with sports betting currently legal in 20 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, with another 15 states to launch operations.

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