MONTGOMERY, Ala. ( WIAT ) — A pre-filed bill for Alabama’s 2025 legislative session would increase penalties for owning an illegal gambling operation.
Rep. Matthew Hammett (R-Dozier) is one of many lawmakers wanting to crack down on illegal gambling. In Covington County, a convenience store owner was discovered selling scratch-off tickets. Hammett says the current penalties don’t go far enough, leading to re-offenders.
“We had some in the store, and they sent in Opp Police Chief [Kevin] Chance. Him and the district attorney went in and got him,” recalled Hammett. “And they said they’ll be back up in six months ’cause it was just a misdemeanor. All we can do is just slap [them] on the wrist.’”
Right now, the penalty is a Class A misdemeanor. Hammett hopes to make that a Class C felony and a minimum fine of $1,000.
“We’re not going after these people that’s operating under a constitutional amendment, like dog or horse tracks,” Hammett said. “That’s not the purpose of this bill. It’s strictly for these illegal operations outside of the CA’s.”