Alabama Sports Betting Taking Another Swing At Legalization

• Alabama lawmakers are pushing a new 2025 bill to legalize and regulate sports betting.
• The proposal includes a state lottery, electronic gaming, and sports wagering.
• Sen. Greg Albritton leads the effort, but Senate support remains uncertain.
• A separate House bill aims to establish an Alabama Gaming Commission.
• Mississippi recently rejected mobile sports betting, raising regional concerns.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama lawmakers are once again pushing to bring regulated sports betting to the state, with a fresh legislative effort unveiled this week.

Led by Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore), the proposal aims to establish a state lottery, permit electronic gambling at select locations, and make legal Alabama sports betting a reality.

However, as has been the case in past sessions, securing the necessary votes remains an uphill battle.

Alabama Sports Betting At A Glance

• Establishes a state lottery managed by a public lottery corporation.
• Allows electronic gambling at six specific locations, including former greyhound tracks and select bingo halls.
• Legalizes sports betting with a tax structure that includes a 24% levy on net revenue from sports wagering and electronic gaming.
• Requires the governor to negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, potentially allowing full-scale casino gaming at tribal facilities.
• Creates an Alabama Gaming Commission to oversee licensing, taxation, and regulation of gambling operations.

While proponents argue that legal sports betting is already occurring unchecked in Alabama, opposition remains strong.

Meanwhile, in the House, a separate bill, HB 490, has been introduced by a group of Democratic lawmakers. It proposes the creation of the Alabama Gaming Commission and a 10% tax on sports betting revenue, with proceeds divided among the state’s general fund, the Education Trust Fund, and an NIL Trust Fund to support high school and college athletes.

However, House leaders insist that any gambling legislation must originate in the Senate.

With just weeks remaining in the legislative session, the question is whether enough support can be rallied in the Senate to push a measure forward. Last year’s gambling effort fell just one vote short, and some lawmakers remain skeptical about whether 2025 will be any different.

A Cautionary Tale from Mississippi

As Alabama deliberates on its next move, Mississippi sports betting discussions offer a reminder of the challenges involved in gambling legislation. Mississippi’s Senate rejected a bill that would have legalized mobile sports betting, signaling that even in a state with an established casino industry, expanding gambling remains a contentious issue.

News tags: AL HB 490 | Alabama | Alabama Gaming Commission | Birmingham Race Course | Greene County | Greg Albritton | Houston County | Jefferson County | Kay Ivey | Lowndes County | Macon County | Mississippi | Mobile County | Montgomery | Poarch Band of Creek Indians | Wetumpka