Gambling in Alabama: What Are the Rules and Regulations?

Published 5:20 am Thursday, May 2, 2024

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All over the United States, various forms of gambling are taking hold and becoming popular, from sportsbooks to online casinos. However, each state in the US has its own rules pertaining to each type of gambling, which can make navigating the legality of the activity a little bit tricky. Alabama falls into the category of states that are slightly more restrictive than others like, for example, Michigan or New Jersey. So what exactly are the rules in Alabama, and what does the future of gambling look like in AL?

 

At the moment, gambling laws in Alabama are pretty tight, with the main types of legal betting being greyhound and horse racing. There are a couple of retail casinos, including three owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians: the Wind Creek Casino & Hotel group in Montgomery, Wetumpka, and Atmore.

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For those who prefer to gamble online, the lineup is limited to out-of-state sites. For residents who are interested, it’s best to choose an offshore option via a trusted guide, such as this list of offshore casinos by Business2Community, handpicked by expert Andrew O’Malley. These offer bonuses, sign-up offers, and a huge variety of casino gaming, all from the comfort of your own home or on the go. You see, despite the limited legalized gambling available in Alabama, the population are still enthusiastic about the activity. Research has shown that there is a vast pool of potential players throughout the state, meaning that when all forms of betting are accessible, the sky’s the limit!

 

Although the current situation is restrictive, in recent months, the Senate has passed bills that would legalize state-regulated gambling and lotteries, which would be a huge leap forward. Not all kinds of betting are included in the bills, with sports betting being the most notable exclusion. The purpose of the bills is to embrace the positive change that gambling can bring to Alabama, as well as to give lawmakers more control over the industry. It will still be a while until we know for sure whether or not gambling has become further legalized, as it is not until September 2024 that final approval will take place. There are hopes that with this development, it won’t be long before gambling is completely legal in Alabama; including sports betting, Bitcoin casinos, and much more!

Even with most gambling activities being outlawed at the moment in Alabama, the industry is thriving, which is partially what has prompted the recent push to legalize. If the aforementioned bills pass, lottery revenue will be put towards education in the state, whilst casino and sports betting revenue will go into the state General Fund. The General Fund currently sits at $150 million, and the aim is that betting revenue can push this figure up to $300 million.