In the southern United States, there are a variety of states that have yet to legalize sports betting, and Alabama is one of those aforementioned locales. Per a recent update, the Cotton State, along with Georgia, are two of about a dozen states that have yet to legalize retail or online sports betting. Responding to a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Donald Trump Jr., the son of the US President, said he supports Alabama and Georgia legalizing sports betting. Explaining that it is “crazy,” these states’ residents cannot wager on a top 20 primetime showdown between their premier football programs. Although Trump Jr. did not specify whether he intends to advocate for reform himself, his comment comes amid his increasing engagement with prediction markets.
For this article, SBS will be going over the latest gaming news coming from Alabama, along with some other excellent information coming from the website and beyond.
Per the same report, this development underscores the rising debate over sports betting in Alabama, where many residents rely “on online sportsbooks in the absence of state-regulated markets.” Additionally, a similar situation exists in Georgia, even as most of the SEC region has already moved toward legalized betting markets. The duo are two of about a dozen states that have yet to legalize retail or online sports betting. Alabama, in particular, lacks even a state lottery, with legislators consistently blocking efforts to establish one. Trump Jr. expressed the view that this status quo needs to change without delay, the article points out.
It is unclear whether Trump Jr.’s comment reflects a casual opinion or hints at future advocacy. However, his unique position at the intersection of politics, venture capital, and prediction markets makes his perspective especially noteworthy. It should also be noted that the President’s son is quite deep in the prediction markets industry. Recently, he was even appointed to Polymarket’s advisory Board just as investment 1789 Capital poured a lot of resources into the prediction markets provider.
While sports betting remains illegal in Georgia and Alabama, the former seems to be at least walking forward to legalizing it. Per the same article, gaming advocates in Georgia are hopeful that 2026 could finally bring meaningful change, even after numerous failed efforts in the past. Lawmakers have either resisted the legalization of online sports betting and casinos or struggled with the constitutional hurdles that require voter approval for such changes.
In other Cotton State gaming news, Pike County Sheriff’s deputies raided a Marathon gas station in Brundidge in late September following an investigation into illegal gambling activities allegedly happening at the business. According to Pike County Sheriff Russell Thomas, evidence of illegal activities included scratch-off style lottery tickets being sold, electronic gambling games being promoted, and coin pusher style machines being operated. One of the machines being operated allowed players to make bets, play illegal games on their cell phone via a downloaded application, and then return to the store to collect any winnings from the machine.
“With this type of illegal activity and the large number of people who play these games, other crimes are also associated with illegal gambling,” Thomas said in the article. Investigators seized $25,000 in cash, 30 rolls of scratch-off lottery tickets, one electronic gambling hub device, two coin pusher-style machines, and various other gambling items and paraphernalia.
“Let me be clear, it is against the law to promote gambling and to participate in gambling activities in Alabama. This is unregulated gambling, and in my experience, these types of unregulated gambling activities lead to other illegal activities being conducted by people with nefarious intentions,” District Attorney James Tarbox said.
Regular readers of this space are well aware of the uphill battle that legalized sports betting in the state has in store. In the past, various gaming bills sponsored by lawmakers have been shot down at various junctures, when it was in various political houses, or not even making it out of committee. Of course, it remains to be seen if gaming will be legalized in the state, but given the state of affairs in the country, it would appear it would just be a matter of time before overall legalized sports betting gets a green light in the Cotton State. Overall, it really depends on the setup and infrastructure of the betting arrangement in the state and how it can benefit the region and the people there.
Once you are all up to speed in relation to the latest gaming news and notes coming from the Cotton State, make sure to check out the excellent array of information available to you at SBS. Of course, for even more info on the state, the sports betting in Alabama guide is a must-read page that covers all of the updates coming from the region and beyond. Conversely, for those who are interested and qualify, the BetOnline sportsbook review rundown is a fantastic resource. Here, qualified customers can learn more about this sportsbook and whether the offerings there make sense for them, and much more. Finally, for those interested in diversifying their deposit and withdrawal options, the payment methods breakdown is a fantastic resource. Here you can find all kinds of options available to you, from crypto to more traditional banking routes.
About the Author
Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
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