1999 Alabama Amendment 1

February 2026 January 2025 October 12, 1999 1999 Alabama Amendment 1 Alabama Alabama State Lottery Amendment 568,289 672,802 1,241,091 1999 Alabama Amendment 1 results map by county.svg No #8B8B54 70-80% #BCBC83 60-70% #DEDEBD 50-60% Yes #47729E 70-80% #7D9CBB 60-70% #B6C8D9 50-60% Alabama Amendment 1 was a legislatively referred constitutional amendment that appeared on the ballot in the U.S. State of Alabama on October 12, 1999. The amendment would have established a state lottery in Alabama. Background In 1999, Alabama was one of thirteen states without a state lottery. Governor Don Siegelman proposed this measure to the legislature, who approved and placed it onto the ballot.Gattis Paul Here's what happened the last time Alabama voted on lottery https://www.al.com/news/2016/07/heres_what_happened_the_last_t.html AL.com 19 November 2024 The bill was criticized by religious leaders as a form of gambling, which many described as a sinful act.Alabama Lottery No Longer Sure Bet https://stateline.org/1999/10/07/alabama-lottery-no-longer-sure-bet/ Stateline 19 November 2024 Former Governor of Georgia Zell Miller campaigned alongside Siegelman in favor of the amendment. Pro-lottery arguments focused on keeping money in the state, as state taxes went to the national lottery, which Alabama did not benefit from.Sandham Jessica Debate Grows As Alabama Lottery Vote Nears https://www.edweek.org/education/debate-grows-as-alabama-lottery-vote-nears/1999/10 Education week 19 November 2024 Results The amendment was rejected with 54% in opposition.Voters in Alabama Soundly Defeat State Lottery https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/13/us/voters-in-alabama-soundly-defeat-state-lottery.html The New York Times 19 November 2024 Alabama Amendment 1 568289 672802 Alabama Secretary of StateSpecial Constitutional Amendment Election - County Level Results https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/election-data/2017-06/1999sce.xls Alabama Secretary of State 19 November 2024 Aftermath In 2016, a similar bill proposed by Governor Robert J. Bentley was criticized by Siegelman, who criticized greed being the motive behind the bill.Varner Brandon "Shame on you!": Former governor Don Siegelman writes lottery response letter https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/shame-on-you-former-governor-don-siegelman-writes-lottery-response-letter/ CBS 42 19 November 2024 In 2022, he later criticized Poarch Creek Indians, citing the Choctaw Indians as the ones who opposed and blocked the amendment.'I told you so, Alabama': Siegelman laments failed 1999 lottery vote https://1819news.com/news/item/i-told-you-so-alabama-siegelman-laments-failed-1999-lottery-vote 1819 News 19 November 2024 References Category:1999 Alabama elections Category:1999 ballot measures in the United States Category:Alabama ballot measures Category:Gambling ballot measures in the United States