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States across the U.S. are announcing record revenues for online and sports betting, making a case with more prohibitive betting restrictions to reassess their legislation.

Alabama currently allows pari-mutuel, charitable, and tribal betting markets and facilities, but recent efforts to legalize sports betting, lotteries, and casinos in the state fell short by just one vote.

HB151 and HB152 passed at the House of Representatives before a revised plan that removed sports betting fell just short in the Senate.

Coming this close was a bitter blow for campaigners who spent years drafting proposals. However, this could pave the way for new proposals next year that could finally see betting restrictions relaxed.

At present, Alabama citizens must look to offshore betting options for the most diverse variety of betting markets. Betting expert Sergio Zammit discusses the rising popularity of crypto casinos because of the security they offer consumers.

Offshore betting operators work outside the legislative jurisdiction of Alabama and allow bettors to wager on traditional casino games, sports betting markets, and much more. 

Zammit explains that many consumers who don’t want to provide sensitive personal and banking data to traditional offshore operators can benefit from the simplicity afforded by crypto alternatives.

While this is great for the consumer, it does mean that the state misses out on valuable revenue streams. The Legislative Services Agency estimated that the state missed out on more than $900 million in net revenue this year alone.

With offshore and crypto gambling sites providing a simple way for people to bet, current legislation is failing in its attempt to stop people from gambling.

Campaigners argue that Alabamians will continue to gamble, regardless of these restrictions. Making legislative changes will benefit the state financially and allow tighter controls on the betting industry. This will help to protect consumers and allow funds to be redistributed into community projects.

The Senate’s defeat of betting proposals denied the people of Alabama from having their say on whether regulated betting markets should be introduced in the state.

Momentum appears to be going the way of legalization, and should a concerted effort be mounted in 2025, the people could finally have their say and see a constitutional amendment that makes Alabama a betting-friendly state.

Securing the financial future of the state is essential to education programs and other areas, so 2025 could be a good year to push ahead with the amended proposals that came so close.