Another state with native American gaming, Alabama is an interesting state when it comes to gambling in that the state is making strides to legalize more, but still has a way to go. Right now, the state does not have any kind of legalized sports betting outside of native American gaming and only has three tribal casinos. With Betfred as its sportsbook operator, the tribal casinos are the main operators in the Cotton State, but Alabama still has no commercial casinos.
Below, SBS will detail some of the latest updates in Alabama, what the future holds and different options for wagering in the state.
With major sports betting not currently legal in the state, Alabama has made more of a concerted effort in recent years to change this. According to an update in the Legal Sports Report, there have been multiple efforts to legalize sports wagering, including as recently as 2021. This most recent proposal passed the Alabama Senate, but failed to see the House floor for a vote.
In addition to establishing a state lottery (Alabama is one of the last states in the U.S. without a lottery), this proposal would have also helped turn racetracks into casinos, complete with retail and mobile sports betting. So while this package was mainly based on establishing a state lottery system, it would have marked a significant jump forward for Alabama had it not stalled at the end of the last state legislative session.
With gaming legislation not having the best track record of getting approved in the Cotton State, there still is some hope for gambling updates and bills getting passed in the near future. For instance, Mississippi and Tennessee, two of Alabama’s border states, just legalized sports wagering. However, there are nuances to each as Tennessee offers mobile-only wagering while those in Mississippi will have to visit a casino to place their bets. The Tennessee case study is interesting in that it offers sports betting on an open mobile market with “untethered operators.” This is something Alabama could look to replicate.
With their neighboring states passing new legislation that allows various kinds of wagering, one could surmise that this will happen soon in Alabama. In a similar case, Georgia tried to pass a mobile betting measure in 2021, but it failed to materialize past the legislature. From the same article mentioned above, there does seem to be no tangible gaming related measures up for debate in the Alabama legislature at this time. So while there are successful case studies in their region of getting gambling legislation passed, gaming in Alabama will center around the tribal casinos for the near future.
When it comes to sports betting and gambling in Alabama, the SBS team has provided you with the best online sportsbooks in the Alabama. This page will give you a breakdown of the best outlets in the Cotton State and which ones suit your needs the best. As you are perusing these websites, make sure to also check out which sites give you the best sign-on bonuses with our handy resource.
With all of these different options available in Alabama, also knowing which payment methods are accepted is a must. With SBS, we have you covered with our handy breakdown of payment methods and options that are all above the board and streamlined for ease-of-use. From Bitcoin and Skrill to Diners Club and Discover Card, you can find ways to wager in all kinds of forms and fashions.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football in the Mountain West Conference, and basketball. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones.
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