A First Look At The New Alabama Sports Betting Bill

• Rep. John Rogers has filed HB315, which authorizes sports wagering in Alabama.
• Pari-mutuel facilities would be permitted to offer sports betting.
• The tax revenue would be contributed to fund in-state scholarships for Alabama residents.

MONTGOMERY – Just one month into the Alabama legislative session, Representative John Rogers (D- Birmingham) filed a bill which will start the discussion for legalized sports wagering in Alabama.

HB315 is the measure that could change the anti-gambling nature of the state.

Under this bill, the Alabama Sports Wagering Commission would be formed, which garners the power to approve sports betting licenses as well as set regulatory standards for the industry.

Rogers seems keen on ensuring a fair and well-balanced commission by even setting term limits on officers in the bill’s text: “each member shall serve for terms of five years, but no more than 12 years.”

Betting on both professional and collegiate sporting events would be permitted for those 21 years and older and there was no mention of in-state collegiate restrictions, as seen in states like New Jersey, Delaware, and Rhode Island.

Seven licenses would be granted to facilities that have authorized pari-mutel wagering. Application fees for the license would cost $100,000, which hold their power for five years. Renewing said license would incur another $100,000 fee, good for an additional five years.

Where Would Sports Wagering Be Offered?

The pari-mutuel facilities in the state are currently in Birmingham, Macon, Mobile, and Eutaw.

However, the bill would not limit Alabama sports betting to physicial gaming facilities. There is language that would permit sports wagering via digital and mobile applications.

The bill’s text states that there will be four different kinds of licenses available; however, they do not distinguish any details between the types.

Upon offering legal sports betting, the facilities would be taxed at 10% of their adjusted gross sports wagering receipts.

More Details On The Alabama Sports Betting Bill

All tax contributions would be given to the Alabama Sports Wagering Fund, which is formed upon the approval of this measure. According to the bill text, the fund “shall be allocated exclusively to provide scholarships for up to two years to citizens of Alabama to attend two and four-year public institutions of higher education located in Alabama.”

With over two months left in the Alabama legislative session, there is plenty of time for this proposal to become a reality.

Upon making its way through both chambers and being approved by Republican Governor Kay Ivey, it would only be three months before the act would become effective.

News tags: AL HB 315 | Alabama | Alabama sports betting