An Alabama lawmaker is proposing a change to the state constitution to clarify that paper raffles and bingo for charitable purposes are legal.
Rep. Jim Hill’s House Bill 47, if approved by the Legislature, would put before voters a constitutional amendment “to provide that the Legislature, by general law, may authorize, license, tax, and provide for the operation of traditional paper raffles and traditional paper bingo when conducted for noncommercial charitable purposes only.”
The legislation is in response to a July cease and desist letter Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office sent an organization that wanted to hold a raffle to raise funds for children with autism. Such raffles are illegal under state law, the office said.
“Although we understand that you are a non-profit organization, the operation of a raffle, where tickets are sold for a chance to win a prize of value, are illegal lotteries under Alabama law (and) cannot be operated or offered in this state without violating Ala. Code 1975 § 13A-12-20 et seq. and the prohibitions of our state constitution against illegal lotteries in our state,” the letter said.
That particular draw down contest was eventually allowed to go on, according to media reports, but Hill’s bill could clear up further and future confusion.
“There are a lot of entities that utilize (raffles) for fundraisers, such as athletic associations, band boosters, things of that nature,” Hill said. “And the purpose of this would be to allow them to continue to do so for charitable purposes.
“…There are good causes for which we do this and the people that participate, they’re not gamblers. They are interested in contributing to and helping (a particular cause.)”
Hill told Alabama Daily News on Friday he doesn’t intend to wade with his bill into the larger gambling legalization debate that dominated the 2024 legislative session and ultimately failed.
“This is not an end run into gaming,” Hill said.
Asked if he thought there would be another push in 2025 to allow interstate lotteries and other expanded gambling, Hill said he hoped not, given how divisive the debate was in the 2024 session.
This year’s efforts started in the House and ultimately failed in the Senate. He, and other House members, say any new effort will likely need to originate in the Senate.
Hill, a former judge and attorney, said he thinks the AG’s office was correct in its general reading of the law. Raffles are a game of chance.
“But there’s gambling and then there’s gambling, and this is just a different deal,” he said about fundraisers.
The 2025 session begins on Feb. 4.