A plan to allow a lottery, casinos, and legal sports betting in Alabama faces a crucial test Thursday, with a vote expected in the Alabama House of Representatives.

It would take 63 votes, three-fifths of the House, to approve the constitutional amendment that is needed to authorize the expansion of legal gambling.

The Legislature has not approved a lottery bill since 1999, a plan proposed by Gov. Don Siegelman. Voters rejected that plan at the polls.

If this year’s plan clears the Legislature, it would be on the ballot in November.

The legislation is sponsored by Rep. Chris Blackshear, R-Phenix City, and is the product of an ad hoc committee that met for more than a year at the direction of House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville.

Lawmakers supporting the plan said it would replace a patchwork of Alabama laws with a uniform regulatory framework. It would create an Alabama Gaming Commission that would license up to seven casinos and include a law enforcement division.

Blackshear opened the debate on the bills Thursday morning by saying that he has worked with lawmakers for and against the bills. He said the state has gambling now but that it is not capped or controlled. And he said voters want a chance to vote on gambling.

This story will be updated.