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Lottery bill dies in Alabama Senate

Gov. Robert Bentley's proposed state lottery has failed in the Alabama Senate.

Senators voted 23-7 to reject changes the House of Representatives made to the bill today. Sen. Jim McClendon, the bill's sponsor, said the legislation is "dead" for the session.

Senate support for the bill crumbled after Democrats said they could no longer support it. Democrats objected to House language that prohibited electronic lottery terminals, arguing that guaranteed the Poarch Band of Creek Indians a monopoly on gambling machines.

Bentley's bill failed just short of the legislative finish line.

The House of Representatives approved the bill late Thursday with one vote to spare. Bentley had to maintain support of 21 senators in the Senate to win final passage.

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