Alabama’s Gambling Misinformation Costs State Nearly $1B a Year
Ian St. Clair
March 6, 2026
Alabama Sports Betting: Launch News and Legal Updates
Alabama sports betting is not legal. That means sportsbooks are not available in Alabama, and sports betting apps cannot be downloaded and used.
In 2024, supporters of sports betting in the Alabama state legislature were unable to get bills passed to make it legal. Those bills passed the AL House of Representatives, but ultimately fell short in the Senate despite wholesale amendments that limited the bills to little but lottery. The earliest we could see sports betting legalized in the state would be 2025. But that will take a lot of effort in both chambers.
Alabama does not have retail sportsbooks. Unlike other states where retail sports betting locations are available in casinos and other venues, Alabama has yet to take that step.
Alabama sports fans can take part in daily fantasy sports (DFS). DraftKings and FanDuel DFS apps and websites are available for download in Alabama. Social sportsbooks are another option.
Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win* *Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms. 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-BETS-OFF Use Bonus Code: BETGTODAY Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win* *Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms. 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-BETS-OFF Use Bonus Code: BETGTODAY Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days (Up to $1,000 Bet Reset Tokens) Available on Desktop, Android & iOS Easy Deposits, Fast Withdrawals Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days (Up to $1,000 Bet Reset Tokens) Available on Desktop, Android & iOS Easy Deposits, Fast Withdrawals Bet $1, Double Your Winnings on Your Next 10 Wagers (Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost) Stream NFL Games In-App for Free OH only. 21+.Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET Use Promo Code: TODAYDYW Bet $1, Double Your Winnings on Your Next 10 Wagers (Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost) Stream NFL Games In-App for Free OH only. 21+.Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET Use Promo Code: TODAYDYW Get a 100% Bet Match up to $100 in FanCash for 10 Days Earn FanCash & Spend it on Team Swag or More Bets Daily Odds & Profit Boosts on Select Games To Claim: Use GAMETODAY Get a 100% Bet Match up to $100 in FanCash for 10 Days Earn FanCash & Spend it on Team Swag or More Bets Daily Odds & Profit Boosts on Select Games To Claim: Use GAMETODAY Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly Plus Get up to $1,000 Deposit Bonus Bet on All Your Favorite Sports With America's Top-Rated Sportsbook To Claim: Click CLAIM OFFER Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly Plus Get up to $1,000 Deposit Bonus Bet on All Your Favorite Sports With America's Top-Rated Sportsbook To Claim: Click CLAIM OFFER Bet $10 Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose 30% Extra on Same Game Parlay Profit T&Cs Apply. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-MY-RESET. 21+ Use Bonus Code: GTODAY Bet $10 Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose 30% Extra on Same Game Parlay Profit T&Cs Apply. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-MY-RESET. 21+ Use Bonus Code: GTODAY 1
Up to $1,500 In Bonuses Up to $1,500 In Bonuses 2
Bet $5 Get $200 In Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days Bet $5 Get $200 In Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days 3
Double Your Winnings On Your Next 10 Wagers Double Your Winnings On Your Next 10 Wagers 4
Up to $1,000 In FanCash Matched Bets Up to $1,000 In FanCash Matched Bets 5
Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets New User Bonus Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets New User Bonus 6
Bet $10 Get $150 In Bonus Bets Win or Lose Bet $10 Get $150 In Bonus Bets Win or Lose
Affiliate Disclosure: If you place a bet at a sportsbook through one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Alabama?
Alabama has not legalized sports betting apps. State lawmakers tried a different strategy to pursue sports betting in 2024. Two bills, HB 151 and HB 152, were put forth. The first would have amended the state constitution. The second would have permitted online sports betting, an online casino, a state lottery, and a gambling commission.
Alabama requires that for the state constitution to be amended, legislation must receive 60% passage in both the House and Senate and then be approved by voters through a ballot initiative.
The Senate stripped down heavily amended versions of HB 151 and HB 152, amounting to a lottery bill. However, the measures still failed to pass by one vote.
When Will Sports Betting Be Legal in Alabama?
Not before 2025 at the soonest. The Alabama legislature reconvenes in February 2025.
Given that the House and Senate haven’t been able to come to much agreement on the matter, since 2019, it could be longer. An attempt to get Gov. Kay Ivey to rekindle discussion of the subject in a special session by an Alabama administrator seems unlikely to bear fruit.
Once sports betting legislation is approved by voters and added to the state constitution, it could be activated in three months to a year.
Return to this page for the latest news and analysis on Alabama legal sports betting.
What’s Happening in Alabama Sports Betting News?
- July 30, 2024: A federal judge sentenced an Indiana businessman to eight months in prison for his role in an Alabama sports betting scandal. Bert Neff used insider info to bet on an Alabama vs. LSU baseball game in 2023.
- May 31, 2024: The 2024 legislative session in Alabama concluded with no success on legislative attempts to legalize sportsbooks.
- February 29, 2024: HB 151 and HB 152 were passed through the Senate but were stripped of any sports betting and iGaming amendments. The approval of these bills would allow for a lottery and for tribal compact negotiations.
- February 15, 2024: Sports betting bills HB 151 and HB 152 were introduced to the House and cleared quickly during the 2024 session. These bills would allow for the creation of a gaming commission and allow online sports betting and online casino.
- February 9, 2024: Two sports betting bills are introduced in the Alabama legislature.House Bill 151 proposes an amendment to the Alabama constitution that would included sports wagering. HB 152 outlines what expanded gambling in the state would entail.
Alabama Sports Betting Bills
The Yellowhammer State is known to be quite conservative when it comes to sports betting. Concerns over problem gambling are raised annually. Sports betting remains illegal in Alabama. Legislation to turn the tide seemed to gain steam in 2024, only to peter out in the Senate.
HB 151, HB 152: Legalization and Regulation of Sports Betting
The full-throated versions of both HB 151 and HB 152 passed in the Alabama House of Representatives. HB 152 would have created a governing agency to license and regulate sports betting operators and other related vendors. It would have done much more. HB 152 would have allowed for online sports betting and online casinos. It would have set the stage for up to seven additional full casinos in Alabama. It also would have introduced a state lottery. Pari-mutuel wagering within the state lines was also included. HB 151 would have established a constitutional amendment allowing for sports betting and iGaming.
But HB 152 proved far too ambitious to succeed. The Alabama State Senate removed the sections that would have allowed for online casinos and sports betting. All that was left were new licenses for more casinos, pari-mutuel wagering, and the lottery element. The stripped-down version of the bills fizzled and eventually died in the Senate.
AL Sports Betting Legalization Timeline
No sports betting legislation is introduced.
A quartet of lottery bills fail. No sports betting bills pass.
Senate passes SB 319, which would have legalized gambling. House takes no action.
Sports betting legislation HB 316 fails to get out of committee.
DFS becomes legal. HB 315 would have provided for sports betting but died in committee.
Key Players in Push for Legal Alabama Sports Betting
Sen. Greg Albritton has been at the forefront of gambling legislation in Alabama. He has sponsored bills in both of the last two legislative sessions.
House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter has championed expanded gaming efforts as well.
Notably, Gov. Kay Ivey is on the record as a supporter of legalized gambling efforts.
Alabama Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) Sites in 2026
DFS is legal in Alabama. The AL state legislature legalized daily fantasy sports apps in 2019, just a few months after the United States Supreme Court passed its landmark ruling on the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, repealing its provisions. That decision allowed states to carve out their own laws on sports betting.
DraftKings and FanDuel are the undisputed leaders in DFS users, but upstarts, such as Underdog Fantasy, are also in the game.
Sign up for FanDuel Predicts & Get a $25 Trading Bonus Make Predictions on Real World Events Right in Your Phone Trade on Sports to Culture, Financials, Crypto and More Sign up for FanDuel Predicts & Get a $25 Trading Bonus Make Predictions on Real World Events Right in Your Phone Trade on Sports to Culture, Financials, Crypto and More Deposit $20, Get a $50 Trading Bonus Live Trade with the Biggest Payouts at the Largest Prediction Market in the World Use Bonus Code: GTODAY Deposit $20, Get a $50 Trading Bonus Live Trade with the Biggest Payouts at the Largest Prediction Market in the World Use Bonus Code: GTODAY America's #1 Sports Prediction Market Same Sports Moments, Bigger Payouts Choose from Straights, Player Props, Parlays & More Use Exclusive Code: TODAY America's #1 Sports Prediction Market Same Sports Moments, Bigger Payouts Choose from Straights, Player Props, Parlays & More Use Exclusive Code: TODAY Huge Range of CFTC-Approved Markets (Sports, Tech, and More) Compete with Others & Climb the Leaderboards No User Limiting on Trades Huge Range of CFTC-Approved Markets (Sports, Tech, and More) Compete with Others & Climb the Leaderboards No User Limiting on Trades Complete a Task in the Crypto.com App to Unlock up to 1 Bitcoin Worth of CRO Rewards America’s All-In-One Trading Platform Manage Your Crypto, Stocks, Predictions & Card Spend Seamlessly Complete a Task in the Crypto.com App to Unlock up to 1 Bitcoin Worth of CRO Rewards America’s All-In-One Trading Platform Manage Your Crypto, Stocks, Predictions & Card Spend Seamlessly Free to Play in the Fanatics App Make 9 correct picks and win up to $100K Make Your Picks Every Weekend Free to Play in the Fanatics App Make 9 correct picks and win up to $100K Make Your Picks Every Weekend Plus 100% Match up to $100 in FreePicks Hundreds of Leagues to Place Picks on Live Betting, Prop City, Gamer Paradise, Live Game Chats Use Promo Code: GTODAY Plus 100% Match up to $100 in FreePicks Hundreds of Leagues to Place Picks on Live Betting, Prop City, Gamer Paradise, Live Game Chats Use Promo Code: GTODAY Get $5 on Sign Up, No Purchase Required PLUS 100% Match up to $100 on First Purchase Daily Promotions, Bonuses, and Boosts Get $5 on Sign Up, No Purchase Required PLUS 100% Match up to $100 on First Purchase Daily Promotions, Bonuses, and Boosts New DraftKings Customers Play Free With $25 Instantly in Bonus Picks, Plus up to a 100% Winnings Boost Lock in your Picks & Compete with others To Claim: Click CLAIM OFFER New DraftKings Customers Play Free With $25 Instantly in Bonus Picks, Plus up to a 100% Winnings Boost Lock in your Picks & Compete with others To Claim: Click CLAIM OFFER New DraftKings Customers – Get 3 Tickets to Play Free. Take Your Shot at a Share of MILLIONS in Prizes With First Deposit T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER To Claim: Click CLAIM OFFER New DraftKings Customers – Get 3 Tickets to Play Free. Take Your Shot at a Share of MILLIONS in Prizes With First Deposit T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER To Claim: Click CLAIM OFFER 1
$25 Bonus On Sign Up $25 Bonus On Sign Up 2
$50 Bonus On First Deposit $50 Bonus On First Deposit 3
Trade $10, Get $20 In Trading Bonus Trade $10, Get $20 In Trading Bonus 4
Trade $10, Get $10 Sign Up, Deposit, and Trade with OG Trade $10, Get $10 Sign Up, Deposit, and Trade with OG 5
Earn up to 1 BTC In CRO Rewards Earn up to 1 BTC In CRO Rewards 6
Play Free Win up to $100K Play Free Win up to $100K 7
10,000 Rebet Coins + 1 Rebet Cash On Sign Up 10,000 Rebet Coins + 1 Rebet Cash On Sign Up 8
Up to $105 In Bonuses Up to $105 In Bonuses 9
Up to $105 In Bonuses Up to $105 In Bonuses 10
New DraftKings Customers Play Free With $25 Instantly in Pick6 Bonus Picks New DraftKings Customers Play Free With $25 Instantly in Pick6 Bonus Picks 11
Get 3 Tickets to Play Free With First Deposit for New DraftKings Customers Get 3 Tickets to Play Free With First Deposit for New DraftKings Customers
Betting on Horse Racing in Alabama
Yes, you can wager on horse racing in Alabama. That’s the good news. The bad news? No tracks currently offer racing in the state. Live betting sites that offer only horse racing are available in Alabama, though it can be difficult to find odds for races on a consistent basis.
The state permits simulcast betting as well as historical horse racing.
Alabama allows online horse betting apps with TwinSpires and BetAmerica. FanDuel Racing is unavailable.
Alabama Lottery
Talk about being surrounded. Each of its neighboring states has a state lottery, but Alabama still does not. One of five states without a state-regulated lottery, Alabama has found it hard to implement a lottery, with opposition from conservative lawmakers and interest groups.
Where to Bet in Alabama: Casinos and Retail Sportsbooks
While there are no retail sportsbooks available in Alabama, there are three casinos in the state that offer electronic bingo machines and are owned and operated by the Poarch Creek Indians. Those three casinos are: Wind Creek Atmore, Wind Creek Montgomery, and Wind Creek Wetumpka.
| 🏦 Alabama Casinos | 📍Address |
|---|---|
| 🏦Wind Creek Atmore | 📍 303 Poarch Rd, Atmore, AL 36502 |
| 🏦 Wind Creek Montgomery | 📍1801 Eddie L Tullis Rd, Montgomery, AL 36117 |
| 🏦 Wind Creek Wetumpka | 📍 100 River Oaks Dr, Wetumpka, AL 36092 |
How To Bet on Sports in Alabama After Legalization
Read up on how to bet in Alabama to know what to do when sports betting goes live in this state.
1
Download a Sports Betting App
No matter what the specifics of Alabama’s sports betting industry are, you’ll be able to download a mobile sports betting app to your iPhone or Android device. The process may be slightly different depending on the type of device you have.
If you’re an iPhone user, all you have to do is download the app you want from the App Store. If you’re an Android user, you’ll likely be able to download the app of your choice from the Google Play store.
Google has been legalizing more and more legal sportsbooks for download from its proprietary store over response. By the time 2025 rolls around, this may comprise all popular sportsbooks on the market.
Alternatively, you may be required to download your Android sportsbook from the operator’s desktop platform.
When installing the main sportsbook app, you’ll also have to download geolocation software that will track your location and stop you from using the book outside state lines.
2
Register With the Sportsbook
Registration is where things get a little tricky. There are two types of registration processes: online and in-person.
Should Alabama decide to allow online-only registration, sports bettors will simply need to fill out a form in their app or web-based sportsbook. A new registrant must provide their Social Security number, date of birth, and other information to verify their age and identity. The entire process takes a few minutes as the sportsbook reviews the information and verifies the account.
Some states, like Illinois, have imposed in-person registration requirements. In such cases, sports bettors are required to visit a partnered casino or racetrack to which their chosen app has been “tethered” to complete registration. Alabama could take this path.
Naturally, this is much more inconvenient and annoying than online-only registration. We will know more about whether this is a likely development in Alabama once the sports betting discussion begins again over the next couple of years.
Many states are practicing “free market” sports wagering markets that don’t require tethered partnerships between operators and retail casinos.
3
Fund Your Account
Once you’ve downloaded the sportsbook app that seems most appealing to you, you’ll need to fund it using one or more methods. Most popular sportsbooks offer a variety of deposit methods for you to use, including debit or credit card transactions, electronic wallet transfers, PayPal, and more.
Many platforms also offer the opportunity to wire money directly from a linked bank account to your sports betting account. Some of the best include payment limits so you can control how much money you spend on sports wagering every week or month.
You may be eligible for a first deposit bonus. DraftKings, for instance, has previously offered a 20% deposit match bonus worth up to $1,000 of site credit. How much extra credit you get is dependent on the amount of your initial deposit; deposit more and you’ll get more bonus bets to begin with.
But also keep the fine print in mind. In the above example, any site credit that DraftKings awards you must be played through 25 times before you can redeem it as cash.
4
Place Your Bet
After checking out any applicable opening bonuses and funding your account, all you’ll have to do is navigate to an attractive betting line and start betting on your favorite college and professional sports.
In many cases, the bonus bet you receive for being a new customer applies only to your first wager. Read the details to understand the rules for each sportsbook and promotional offer.
Sports to Bet on in Alabama
In addition to college and professional games, sportsbooks in Alabama will offer odds on events such as NASCAR races, MMA fighting, tennis, golf, volleyball, cricket, lacrosse, table tennis, rugby, and more.
As Alabama sports betting is adopted, fans can select from many teams with state ties for potential wagers.
NFL Betting in Alabama
There aren’t any major professional franchises with homes in Alabama. However, many state residents are fans of sports franchises in neighboring states such as Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia. The Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Atlanta Falcons of the NFL have popularity in Alabama.
View: NFL odds
NBA Betting in Alabama
The Atlanta Hawks are a popular NBA team in Alabama. Despite their lack of championship pedigree, the team has a history of dynamic superstar players. Some Alabama NBA fans prefer the Orlando Magic because of the relatively short distance to that city (about 450 miles south into Florida).
View: NBA odds
MLB Betting in Alabama
Most baseball fans in AL support the Atlanta Braves. Their games can be seen nearly nationwide via a superstation cable channel.
View: MLB odds
NHL Betting in Alabama
Neither Alabama nor Georgia has a team in the National Hockey League. While the NHL trails football as a passion for Alabama sports fans, there are those who follow the game. The most common favorite NHL team among AL residents is the Tampa Bay Lightning.
View: NHL odds
College Sports Betting in Alabama
College sports wagering will be huge in any future sports betting industry in Alabama. Football, in particular, is like a religion in this state. Alabama is home to five universities with major college football programs.
Of these, the most popular is the University of Alabama Crimson Tide, a team that almost single-handedly drives football fanaticism to levels not seen in other states. There’s a good reason for this, as the Crimson Tide has claimed 18 national titles over its history. Alabama’s greatest rival is in-state foe Auburn. The Tigers have won the SEC championship 16 times.
College football betting will be very popular in this state once AL sportsbooks launch. College basketball, college baseball, and other college sporting events will draw interest.
The Alabama legislature may limit college betting. Some states don’t allow wagers to be placed on in-state teams or games. Player prop bets on college games are prohibited in some states. The NCAA has called for every state to prohibit such wagers.
View: College football odds
Types of Bets To Expect at AL Sportsbooks
These common types of sports wagers can be expected when Alabama legalizes and launches sports betting apps:
Moneyline
Pick the winner of a game and see the payoff on the moneyline. For example, a +300 bet on Alabama against Auburn in college football means that Auburn is the underdog at 3-to-1. Moneyline bets are based on a $100 wager. So, you would win $300 if Auburn wins.
Point Spread
The point spread is the number of points a favorite gives away or an underdog gets to make the spread wager enticing. For example, Auburn may be a +11.5 underdog against Alabama. That means Auburn gets 11.5 points added to their total at the conclusion of the game. If they win or lose by less than 11.5, you collect on your bet.
Total/Over Under
Totals are wagers on the total number of points in a game. You can wager on it being over or under a certain number with the attached odds. For example: Over 43.5 points for Alabama vs. Auburn, with odds of -120. That means you’ll need to wager $120 to win $100 if the total points for both teams are over 43.5 for that college football game.
Game Props
Wager on a specific event happening at the team level of a game. For example, will the Alabama basketball team make at least seven three-pointers in a game? You can bet Over or Under.
Player Props
Player props forecast whether a player will achieve a specific benchmark in a game. For example, you could bet on Alabama running back Justice Haynes gaining more than 100 yards rushing in a game.
Parlay
Two or more bets (legs) from different sporting events are bundled into a single wager. The more correct legs, the greater the payoff.
Same-Game Parlay
Here, you have two or more bets (legs) from the same game packaged together. For example, in an Alabama vs. Auburn basketball game, you could bet on the Tide’s Mark Sears scoring more than 22.5 points and grabbing more than 4.5 rebounds.
Futures
Wager on a long-term event, such as a championship or an award winner. You could bet on Auburn to win the 2025 College Football Playoff.
Sports Betting Apps That Could Launch in Alabama
There are currently no Alabama sports betting sites. But with sports betting growing in popularity nationally, operators will be eager to accept bets in Alabama.
Here’s a look at the top sportsbooks that could compete in Alabama.
BetMGM is one of the most popular sports betting apps with a wide catalog of betting odds on a great selection of sports. A cool live-streaming product balances things out.
- Features: SGPs, live streaming, props selection
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available: iOS and Android
- Ratings: Apple 4.8; Google 4.5
Caesars boasts an amazing loyalty program and odds that stack up anywhere. Users like the excellent odds boosts. And live streaming shines.
- Features: Snappy payouts, strong SGPs, nice odds boosts
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available: iOS and Android
- Ratings: Apple 4.6; Google 4.3
FanDuel wows with navigable iOS or Android apps. Live betting and live streaming are state-of-the-art. The many deposit and withdrawal options are a plus.
- Features: Live betting, ready cashouts, online betting guide
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available: iOS and Android
- Ratings: Apple 4.9; Google 4.6
Bet365 app has a great selection of US sports. Lucrative new-user offers and bunches of bonus bets await.
- Features: Quick cashouts, odd boosts, regular bonus bets
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available: iOS and Android
- Ratings: Apple 4.8; Google 4.6
DraftKings opens with a jazzy interface and markets galore. DK brings out all the bets you need, including parlays and SGPs.
- Features: SGPs, easy interface, odds boosts
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available: iOS and Android
- Ratings: Apple 4.7; Google 4.6
The BetRivers app can punch with the better-known operators. Sports aplenty are offered—from NFL to handball. Plus, BetRivers brings enticing odds to the party.
- Features: Fast payouts, live betting, same-game parlays
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available: iOS and Android
- Ratings: Apple 4.4; Google 3.7
What To Look for in Alabama Betting Apps
There won’t be sports betting in Alabama before 2025. But here we look at the most important criteria when choosing an AL sports betting app:
- Promotional offers
- Odds markets
- Ease of depositing/withdrawing funds
- Live betting features
AL Sports Betting Future
Attempts to legalize sports betting in Alabama have been thwarted to this point. The main holdups are concerns over potential problem gambling and a lack of consensus between the House and Senate.
Proponents such as Sen. Greg Albritton, House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, and Gov. Kay Ivey need to push sports betting legislation across the finish line. Their next chance starts in February 2025 with a new session.
How Alabama Sports Betting Compares To Other Markets
Alabama measures up poorly compared to other states with legal sports betting industries. Take Tennessee, for example. Though this state only offers mobile sports betting, it still provides sports betting enthusiasts multiple options to wager on their favorite sporting events.
North Carolina launched legal sports betting in 2024 with resounding success. That state permits online and retail sportsbooks. West Virginia also has a healthy sports betting market. All those states reap the reward of tax revenue.
States such as New Jersey highlight what Alabama is missing out on. NJ offers both retail and mobile sports wagering, as well as iGaming options. States such as Georgia have progressed more substantively in their legalization process than Alabama. There are pockets in Florida where sports betting apps are available, though the Sunshine State has yet to sort out its full-scale online gaming market.
Alabama’s other gambling options aren’t very well developed or varied. There are only three brick-and-mortar casinos in the state, all of them run by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Each casino is a Class II facility, meaning they aren’t able to offer “Vegas-style” table games like blackjack, slots, baccarat, and more.
Alabama is one of five states without a lottery and does not allow online casino games. Sports fans must cross the border into Tennessee to enjoy almost any form of gambling, except horse race wagering, which is allowed through pari-mutuel competitions.
See our sports betting revenue page for comparative data.
Pros and Cons of the Alabama Sports Betting Industry
Precious few gambling activities are legal in Alabama, so progress is slow. Here are the ups and downs thus far.
Alabama Sports Betting Successes So Far
Not much to report. There have been several pushes for sports wagering in the past. The Alabama Senate quickly passed SB 319 and SB 310 in 2023, both of which would have legalized sports wagering and set up a new regulatory commission to oversee the budding industry. In 2024, two more bills had support in the AL State House but withered in the Senate.
Some legislators within Alabama want to legalize sports betting as soon as possible, but they face constant opposition. These key lawmakers will continue the push in the next legislative session.
How Alabama Can Do Better
Alabama can do a lot to improve its online gambling across various sectors. Legalizing sports betting would bring in millions of dollars of revenue for the state and prevent sports bettors from hopping across state lines to place legal wagers.
Alabama should consider legalizing online casino games or expanding its retail casino provisions to allow Native American casinos to offer Class I gaming activities like slots and blackjack. A state-commissioned study in 2020 predicted that iGaming would bring hundreds of millions in tax revenue annually to Alabama.
Introducing a state lottery would also be welcome. But even states with lotteries don’t always allow online lottery participation.
Alabama Sports Betting Revenue Projections
Gov. Kay Ivey formed a special, 12-person panel in February 2020, looking into how much money legal sports wagering would bring to Alabama.
The panel commissioned a study that compared Alabama’s prospective sports wagering and iGaming industries to the legal markets of other states, such as New Jersey. The study reported that online casino games alone would generate up to $400 million in annual tax revenue.
The 2020 study found that a hypothetical state lottery would generate as much as $300 million in tax revenue. Legal sports wagering would generate a minimum of $10 million in tax revenue annually. Some gaming experts believe these tax figures are conservative.
Alabama’s state government’s inaction on sports betting is ignoring the potential for more than half a billion in tax revenue annually from sports betting, online casinos, and a state lottery.
Alabama Responsible Gaming
Responsible gaming is critical to the success of a state sports betting market. The primary reason states legalize this activity is to regulate sports betting for the safety of their citizens. The states view it as their responsibility to regulate a market that, absent laws, too often pushes people to do business with illegal offshore betting sites.
Even before Alabama legalizes sports betting, the state has invested in responsible gaming initiatives. A hotline can help citizens if they feel they may have a gambling problem. The resources could help you or someone you care about.
More Resources for Alabama Bettors
- Alabama Council on Compulsive Gambling
- Call 1-800-GAMBLER in Alabama for help with your questions about problem gambling.
Alabama Sports Betting FAQ
No. Alabama has not yet passed legislation to allow sports betting. It will try again in 2025.
DraftKings offers daily fantasy sports in Alabama, but not sports betting yet.
We expect the FanDuel mobile sports betting app would be available in Alabama if the market is launched. FanDuel DFS is currently offered.
Once sports betting has been legalized, you will need to be physically located in the state to place a wager. But you won’t need to be a resident.
Most states set the limit at 21, with a few allowing sports betting for those 18 and older. We won’t know what Alabama will do until the state passes a sports betting bill. So far, all of the proposals have called for a legal age of 21.
Many sports betting operators may enter the AL market. Leaders like DraftKings and FanDuel, as well as Caesars Sportsbook and BetMGM, are expected.
Once sports betting apps are in Alabama, you can expect popular sports leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and the NHL to be in play. The PGA Tour, NASCAR, MMA, and other sports will be available as well. Alabama has yet to issue any lists of sports in their betting proposals, but college sports like football and basketball are anticipated to be allowed.
All of the sports betting bills introduced so far in AL have included the option to wager on college sports. Given the tremendous popularity of Alabama and Auburn sports, it seems unlikely that the state would legalize sportsbooks but not allow college bets.
It may be some time before Alabama has legal sportsbook apps. Sports fans may be tempted to use offshore or illegal betting sites in the meantime. We do not recommend this. Illegal sportsbooks have subpar digital security and don’t provide strong betting odds. This means your personal information and any funds you provide to the offshore betting site will be at risk.
No, the state of Alabama does not have legal sports betting sites or mobile applications. Online casinos are also not legal in the state.
Other Types of Gambling in Alabama
Sports betting’s fate in Alabama is currently unclear. But there are other possibilities for sports fans regarding gaming. Social sportsbooks can be an option. The SEC and college football backers can look to the pros and participate in Super Bowl squares for the NFL’s crown jewel.
Social Sportsbooks in Alabama
In states where legal sportsbooks have yet to hit the market, apps like Fliff and Rebet Social have emerged as fun alternatives.
Get $50 In Free Play
Get $50 In Free Play
PLUS a 100% Match up to $100 on Your First Purchase
1x Playthrough
Use Promo Code: GTODAY
PLUS a 100% Match up to $100 on Your First Purchase
1x Playthrough
Use Promo Code: GTODAY
With Fliff in Alabama, users can compete in free-to-play games for entertainment purposes.
Rebet, developed by a group of Dartmouth graduates, features peer-to-peer competitions and a social component.