Currently, Alabama has some of the most restrictive gambling laws in the country, with no in-state options for casino, sports, or poker gambling. However, that could change soon.
Last week, the Alabama House of Representatives rejected the state Senate’s changes to a gambling initiative that proposed legal sports betting and multiple casino locations. Representatives voted to send the bill to a conference committee as the two chambers remain at odds on new gambling ventures.
The House passed plan would have allowed a state lottery system, in-person sports betting, and up to 10 casinos to be developed throughout the state. The Senate changed the bill to prohibit sports betting and only allow casinos on tribal land.
Senator Greg Albritton said, “The optimism is gone” and “There is plenty of middle ground, plenty of opportunity.” Albritton noted that some senators had taken hard-line stances against sports betting and local Alabama casinos. It seems some senators want to expand tribal casinos to allow more games of chance, but others do not.
Representative Chris Blackshear told reporters he was hopeful that the two chambers could agree, but there was a vast difference in what the two branches of state government had approved.
Online Alabama Casinos
As the current laws stand, only online casinos and sports betting sites outside the state are available. There are no state laws that make 18+ Alabama online casinos illegal.
While online casinos offer all the games you will find in Las Vegas and more, for some, they don’t provide the same benefits that brick-and-mortar casinos offer. To elevate the online casino experience, many sites have started offering live dealer games from remote casino locations. Depending on where you play, the live dealer games differ, but common games include blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and Super6.
When Will The Alabama Committee Discuss The New Gambling Bill?
The state Senate is expected to conference with the committee next week and notify the public of that date. While many remain optimistic, the two chambers are far from the middle ground on sports betting and casino locations. However, the Senate is ready to pass a state-run lottery system and has expressed interest in expanding tribal gaming options.
If the conference committee can compromise, we expect an updated or new gambling bill for voter approval during the next election cycle.