Mobile and online sports betting continues to grow across the United States as more states increase legislation. From seasoned professionals to first-time bettors, WagerTalk's library of betting tips, live odds screen, and free plays can help any level of bettor. The law would legalize sports betting, casino gambling, and an Alabama Lottery, but voters will have the ultimate say (likely in 2022). To get more information about the status of sports betting legislation in Alabama, visit our state bill tracker page. Best Online Sportsbooks For Alabama Residents. Alabama on its sports betting bill and experience relative to other states. Alabama Sports Legislation TBD We'll evaluate Alabama's sports betting bill as it becomes available.

• Alabama is one of only five states in the nation without a state lottery.
• House Bill 199 that has been pre-filed in the Heart of Dixie would make a state lottery and legalize retail/mobile sports betting in Alabama.
• The Alabama Legislature has until May 30 to decide on whether to approve the bill for a state vote as it requires a constitutional amendment.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama lawmakers are going all-in with their proposals to legalize various forms of gambling in the state.

The Alabama Legislature will begin their 2021 session on Tuesday and adjourn for the year on May 30, giving those within the House and Senate nearly four months to decide on the fate of gaming bills that have been filed.

Two such bills have already started to process with one being pre-filed prior to the opening day of the Legislature. Each bill seeks to open up a state lottery, while the two differ in one wanting sports betting with the lottery while the other wants a casino gaming industry.

The Sports Betting & Lottery Bill

Within the entire United States, Alabama is only one of five that remains without a lottery of its own. State Representative John Rogers (D-Birmingham), who has worked since 1985 as a lawmaker in the Heart of Dixie and is the sponsor behind House Bill 199 hopes to change this.

Rogers is no stranger to the legislative process and has a long history of being an advocate in getting a legalized gambling industry that has both a state lottery and sports betting in Alabama.

House Bill 199 would like to amend section 65 within the Alabama Constitution which would allow for a lottery to open through such an amendment. Along with this request in Rogers’ bill is that to open a sports wagering market in the state. The sports betting section of his proposal would have both retail and mobile sportsbooks for Alabamans to enjoy.

Land-based locations eligible to apply for a license would include all horse racing and dog tracks statewide as well as the three Tribal Wind Creek casinos of Alabama.

Under AL HB 199, a Sports Wagering Committee is requested to be able to extend various other licenses within the industry to outside businesses and interested parties. During a study on wagering in the Heart of Dixie that was requested by Governor Kay Ivey in 2020, findings suggested at least $700 million in yearly revenue from legal lottery, sports betting, and casino gaming markets.

House Bill 199 has detailed where the profits generated from a state lottery would go with 40 percent being put toward the education system, 40 percent going toward the general fund, and the remaining 20 percent being put toward the Alabama Department of Corrections.

What’s Next For Alabama

The other bill that would like time on the floor of the Alabama Legislature in 2021 does not reference a legal sports betting industry. Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh (R-Talladega) wants a state lottery and Class III Gaming for the three Tribal casinos in the state.

This gaming would require a Tribal Gaming Compact between the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and Alabama.

There is no such contract now which is why the casinos only offer bingo at this time. Marsh’s proposal would have casino games and a lottery open to residents with profits going toward getting more areas in Alabama access to high-speed internet and funding for scholarships in higher education.

The Alabama Legislature has until May 30 to discuss the fate of these two bills. Should sports betting be classified as Class III gaming, it could be included in Marsh’s bill during future hearings on the floor.

While both bills aim to bring more funding to the Heart of Dixie, Governor Kay Ivey has said that she would have the final say on whether or not any gambling bills that receive passage in the House and Senate and land on her desk become law.

And with the sports betting bill, a constitutional amendment would need to see a public vote where 60% of Alabama would need to be in favor of a legal lottery and a sports betting industry for the state to move forward.

News tags: AL HB 199 Alabama Alabama Constitution Alabama Legislature Del Marsh House Bill 199 John Rogers Kay Ivey Poarch Band of Creek Indians Wind Creek Casinos

Christina has been writing for as long as she can remember and does dedicated research on the newly regulated sports betting market. She comes from a family of sports lovers that engage in friendly bets from time to time. During the winter months, you can find Christina baking cookies and beating the entire staff at Mario Kart…the N64 version of course.

For some time, Alabama had a reputation for being one of the most anti-gambling states in the United State. In recent years, it seems as though there’s been a small but gradual shift toward expanded gambling, with legal Alabama sports betting even on the cards. For the time being though, sports betting is still illegal in Alabama.

In this Alabama sports betting guide, we’ve discussed the current laws around sports betting, how this may change in the future, and other forms of betting that players can enjoy. Luckily, Alabamans have a number of other betting options, so we’ve helped to give you all that you need to make the best gambling choices.

What Betting Options are Legal for Alabama Residents

Contents

• What Betting Options are Legal for Alabama Residents
• Frequently Asked Questions

There may be no sports betting in Alabama yet, but there are still a number of gambling options that players can wager real money on. This includes daily fantasy sports, horse race betting and even some slot and bingo games at one of the state’s tribal casinos.

Is Daily Fantasy Legal in Alabama?

For some time, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) was declared illegal by the AL Attorney General. Then, in 2019, Alabama decided that the skill-based gameplay in DFS meant that it was different from regular gambling and declared DFS legal. Now, Alabama players can legally enjoy DFS drafting of players from all major sports leagues, making it the closest thing to legal online sports betting in Alabama.

Both FanDuel and DraftKings operate in AL, both of which are perhaps the best known, popular and reputable sports betting sites in the United States. Both websites also now offer trusted sportsbooks to states where sports betting is legal, but this is not yet the case for Alabama users. When it is, it’s possible that either may become the only legal Alabama sports betting app.

Are there Legal Offshore Sites for Alabama Players

As there is no legal Alabama online sportsbook, some bettors in the state access off-shore bookmakers like Bovada and MyBookie to place their bets. They can use these because states don’t technically forbid these bets, so off-shore betting remains in a legal gray area. However, because they’re not licensed, these websites may not be fair or safe. Also, as they are accepting players from illegal markets, they can hardly be trusted. It’s best to wait for legal online sports betting in Alabama.

Casinos

Alabama is currently home to three land-based casinos, all of which are owned and operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. As the only federally-recognized Native American tribe in Alabama, the Poarch Creek Indians are alone in their right to sidestep state laws that outlaw casino gambling.

However, the gambling that is offered at these casinos is heavily restricted. When you visit an Alabama casino, don’t expect to play table games such as poker, blackjack or roulette. Instead, you will only be able to play bingo or on slot machines. For more gambling options, players will need to travel to a state where they are legal.

Racetrack Betting

In addition to these limited casino games and daily fantasy sports, Alabamans can also place bets at one of the state’s numerous race tracks. Only greyhound racing is available to watch live, though there has been some growing concern that the greyhound tracks be shut down for animal safety concerns.

Unlike other states that allow off-track betting, all wagers on races must be placed at the racetrack. Here, bettors can bet on both the games that are happening live at the track or on a live race simulcast at the venue. Until there is legal AL sports betting, racetrack betting may be a great alternative.

Nearby States with Legal Sports Betting

If you want to get a taste of what legal online sports betting Alabama would be like, why not travel? There are no laws against Alabama residents going out of state to try their hand at a sportsbook. Alabama is in a privileged position for sports betting as it borders a number of states with legal sportsbooks, see our home page for more info.

In particular, Tennessee is a great option, as it allows for both in-person mobile wagering. Below is a list of more nearby states with sports betting.

• North Carolina
• Tennessee
• Mississippi

What would Legal Sports Betting in Alabama Look Like

Although sports betting is illegal in Alabama, this doesn’t mean it will always stay that way. In fact, there are currently a number of legalization bills being considered by government officials that could see sportsbooks established. Both bills are committed to allowing mobile betting, meaning bettors could bet from the comfort of their own homes.

If there was legal Alabama online gambling for sports, we imagine that most major leagues and college division games could be bet on. A legal Alabama online sportsbook would also ensure that players are old enough to play, problem gamblers are protected and payouts are fair. This would all be overseen by a state regulatory body that would act in the best interest for state residents.

What are the Alabama Gambling Laws

The Alabama gambling laws are quite clear in that all forms of casino gambling are illegal outside of tribal reservations. The law even prohibits the sale of lottery tickets, making it one of only five US states that do not have a state lottery. Tribal casinos are only allowed to offer bingo and slot machines, meaning popular games like poker and blackjack are outlawed.

Pari-mutuel wagering on racing was the first legal gambling option in the state. It was legalized in 1973 with the opening of the state’s first greyhound racetrack. In 1987, a horse racing track was established. At first, it was popular with locals, but declining attendance soon shut down the races and now, only greyhound races take place in Alabama.

Even when DFS was first introduced to the state, it didn’t take long for lawmakers to threaten legal action for offering what it perceived as illegal gambling. It took years for lobbyists to convince the state that DFS players relied on skill to win. As Alabama defines gambling as wagering on a game of chance, DFS was incompatible with this definition.

If Alabamans want to gamble on more options, their best bet is to travel to a state that offers legal casino games or online betting. As Alabama’s laws surrounding gambling are much more conservative than most other states, it won’t be hard to find a state with more relaxed gambling laws.

As the table above shows, the gambling options are severely limited. If players want to partake in DFS betting, they must be 19 years old to sign up. If players want to bet at a racetrack or play a slot machine at a tribal casino, players must be 21 years old or over.

What is the Future of Sports Betting in Alabama?

For some time, it has seemed as though Alabama would always reject the idea of gambling expansion, but there are signs that the tides are changing in the state. A recent bill introduced in the Alabama House of Representatives seeks to legalize sports betting at physical locations as well as online.

Alabama Betting Line

It’s possible that licenses to operate sportsbooks would be awarded to both FanDuel and DraftKings, both of whom already have a presence in the state with their DFS apps. The bill is supported by the Poarch Creek Indians, and a number of lawmakers have been outspoken in their support of legalization. There could be legal website soon.

If the bill passes, a total of four licenses will be given to operators to offer sports betting in Alabama. This would likely include the Poarch Creek casinos and the horse racing tracks, as well as some popular online operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel. However, until the bill is passed, only players from legal sport betting states will be able to place sports bets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mobile Sports Betting

Do you still have questions about how sports betting works in Alabama? Maybe you’re curious about online betting? Below, we’ve answered some commonly asked questions about the gambling industry in Alabama so that you can be sure that you are betting legally and safely.

Is online gambling and sports betting legal in Alabama?

Both online gambling and sports betting are illegal in Alabama. However, there are currently a number of bills being considered by the government that could see sports betting legalized. This would be allowed at both physical locations and on mobile, making it more accessible for all Alabama residents.

What is the Alabama legal gambling age?

The minimum gambling age for gambling in Alabama is different according to the activity. Bettors must be over the age of 19 to sign up for a DFS account, while they must be over 21 to bet at a horse track or a casino.

Are offshore bookmaker sites legal and safe?

Sports Betting In Alabama

Not only are offshore betting sites illegal, but there is no guarantee of their safety. Despite this, if Alabamans decide to access these sites, they will not be punished by the law. We would still recommend against this though, as these websites are unlicensed and unregulated.

Can I use the FanDuel or DraftKings app in Alabama?

Can You Bet On Sports Online In Alabama

You can only use the FanDuel and DraftKings apps if you wish to play daily fantasy sports. If online sports betting is legalized in Alabama, we hope that these reputable operators would be allowed to offer their sportsbooks as they are some of the safest betting sites. The apps offer many betting options and include helpful statistics to help inform your bets.