Alabama Lawmaker Wants Lottery, As Mega Millions Reaches $810 Million

Alabama lawmakers will try again next year to legalize gambling in the state. The Mega Millions jackpot reached $810 million Tuesday. Governor Kay Ivey supports giving Alabama residents a vote on statewide gaming expansion.

Odds of gaming legislation being approved in Alabama after the election are better. Alabama residents already gamble in nearby states where it's legal. Alabama needs to take control of the gambling industry.

In Tennessee, mobile sports betting is legal. It's not legal in other states. Sports betting occurs in only four of 10 states with universities competing in the Southeastern Conference. Legislative efforts to expand gaming recently failed in North Carolina, Georgia, Missouri, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Texas.