Proposed Bills take Different Approaches
Unlike its neighbors, Alabama does not permit any type of legal gambling, whether it be lotteries, casinos, or sports betting. The lone exceptions to this prohibition come in the form of casinos run by the state’s only federally recognized tribe, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, who operate three casinos under tribal gaming licenses.
The two proposed bills that died at the end of the recent legislative session took different approaches to introduce legal gambling into the Heart of Dixie. A bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Chip Brown focused on establishing a state lottery that would generate annual revenues as high as $285 million, which would be earmarked for college scholarships and student debt relief.
The second bill, sponsored by Republican State Senator Greg Albritton would also establish a state lottery. And in addition, pave the way for the opening of five casinos, two satellite casinos, as well as statewide sports betting. Like Brown’s proposed bill, the legislation sponsored by Albritton would fund postseason education with annual revenues projected to be as high as $400 million.
Failed Bids to Legalize Gambling Nothing New In Alabama
Failures to push gambling bills through the Alabama legislature are nothing new. Since the United States Supreme Court overturned a federal law outlawing sports betting in most jurisdictions, thereby opening the door for the widespread adoption of legal online sports betting in the USA, more than 30 states have passed laws enabling residents to get in on the action at local sportsbooks.
In the wake of the Supreme Court decision, Alabama tested the waters, convening a commission to study the impact on gambling back in 2020. However, the results of that effort did more to bolster the position of gambling opponents than move any sort of legislative process forward. Indeed, there has been no shortage of citizens’ groups that have formed to oppose the liberalization of gambling laws, claiming such a move would result in a significant spike in problem gambling cases.
Offshore Sportsbooks Remain Best Option for Alabama Sports Bettors
But while any move towards legal sports betting appears to be off the table, at least until after this fall’s elections, sports bettors in Dixie can still get in on sports betting action by making the drive to neighboring states where legal sportsbooks are open for business, including Mississippi, Tennessee, and Georgia.
In addition, Alabama sports bettors can continue to place bets with long-established offshore sportsbooks offering mobile apps, many of which are qualified to be included among our reviews of top online sportsbooks.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
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