Bentley went from gambling critic to lottery proponent

(AP) — In Republican Gov. Robert Bentley's 2010 campaign for governor, he said he supported the people's right to vote on gambling, but that he personally opposed gambling — calling it a detriment to society because it hurts those who can least afford it.

Six years later, the Republican governor is proposing a state lottery, saying the state needs the revenue to help the poor.

Bentley's 2010 campaign website read at one point: "Let me reiterate that I am personally opposed to gambling in any form or fashion because it preys upon the people who can least afford it and it is an unreliable source to fund the operations of government."

The governor said Monday that his office will release details of the proposed constitutional amendment later this week.

Since the Alabama Constitution bans most games of chance, three-fifths of legislators would have to approve the legislation and a majority of voters would have to approve changing the state constitution to allow a lottery.

Former Gov. Don Siegelman made a lottery the center piece of his 1998 gubernatorial campaign, although the referendum failed at the poll under heavy opposition from churches and out-of-state gambling interests.