The legalization and taxation have long been a perennial issue in Alabama, and in recent years, this has shifted to sports gambling, taking center stage. As hot a public policy debate as legal gambling has been over the years in the Yellowhammer State, a new kind of online platform is capitalizing on the market, a new article reports. Last month, sports betting giant FanDuel launched “FanDuel Predicts” in Alabama, along with four other states – Alaska, North Dakota, South Carolina, and South Dakota. The platform offers “event contracts” that allow users to buy or sell a Yes/No position on outcomes tied to financial indicators, economics, and commodities. Additionally, in a limited set of states, including Alabama, it also offers sports-related contracts, similar to sports betting, the report notes.
For this report, SBS will be going over the latest gaming news coming from Alabama, along with a variety of other notes and info coming from the Cotton State and beyond.
As noted in a recent report, as betting on sports becomes a mammoth industry, legal in 38 states, Alabama is not among them, nor is it capitalizing on the tax revenue generated from its activity within the state. Additionally, a new report from a national outlet cited the Alabama Policy Institute’s 2023 estimate that legalization could generate between $200 million and $300 million annually for the state.
Noted in the report, sports contracts are currently available only in certain states, which include large non-legal markets like California, Texas, and Georgia, along with Alabama and others. FanDuel Predicts and platforms like it operate under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Additionally, a local news outlet in the state interviewed Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels on the topic. He said that since the issue has not been addressed legislatively, the platform will continue operating in Alabama, and the state will not seize any of the economic activity it generates.
“There’s never been a closure because we have never addressed it legislatively to stop it from happening. It’s just that by adding sports to it, it creates another loophole,” Daniels (D-Huntsville) said. “It’s already happening. People in Alabama are already doing it in other places.” Also, he would add, “the state is not receiving any benefit. The federal government is, but the states are not.”
In another Alabama news report, the topic of overall state legalization was touched on. Per the article, over the last couple of years, legalized gambling and casinos in the state of Alabama – and the push to get it back on the ballot for the people to decide on – has been one of the most highly discussed topics in state politics. One of those fighting for clarity on the issue is State Rep. Joe Lovvorn (R-Auburn), who jumped on a local state outlet to talk about a wide-range of hot topics, including the fight to get gambling back on the ballot in the state.
In the interview, Lovvorn talked about how there are already casinos in the state, as well as huge amounts of illegal gambling, and the state is missing out on revenue that neighboring states like Florida and Mississippi are cashing in on. “We have got to continue to have these conversations because the amount of gambling in the state is rampant,” Lovvorn said. “(Also), we can turn our back on it and ignore it, but it is there. We have the lottery all around us, we have gaming all around us, and I think the conversation is gonna be continued until we address it.”
Per the same article, Lovvorn also had this to say, “We have casinos in Alabama, it’s not a question whether you want them or not. They are here. There are people gaming on their cellphones every day, and it’s not a question if you want it or not; it’s here.” Lovvorn said. “So what are we gonna do about it? I think we owe it as lawmakers to continue to have that conversation. We can’t change the law; all we can do is say the people have the right to vote or not on what they want. It’s our job to make sure it’s the right package (for the state) … we can let it illegally take over, or we can address it and have the conversation.
“I want to have those hard conversations. We may not have all the answers, but it’s our job to make sure we are answering all the questions.”
Clearly, the gaming issue is a complicated one that has more layers than many realize, the article points out. However, with people like Lovvorn fighting to get it back on the ballot, it feels bound that sooner rather than later, voters will be able to make their voices heard.
After you are all up to speed in relation to the latest gaming updates coming from the Cotton State, make sure to check out the latest gaming news coming from SBS and beyond. Of course, for even more analysis on the state in this report, the sports betting in Alabama guide is a must-read resource that goes over the latest happenings in the region and more. Conversely, for those intrigued by various betting outlets and who qualify, the BetOnline sportsbook review rundown is a must-read resource. Here, you can learn more about the sportsbook and see if it makes sense for you. Finally, for those on the go, the best betting apps breakdown is an excellent page to bookmark. Here you can learn more about the nuances of mobile betting and whether you qualify.
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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