Online Gambling In Alabama
When it comes to states synonymous with the South and its traditions, there may be no greater representative than Alabama. Its contributions and appearances in American history are legion, both good and bad.
Online Casinos in Alabama There are no online casinos in Alabama, and there are no indications that it will be legalized soon. Alabama does not even have a state lottery, which often indicates an openness. In 2019, regulated online gambling in Alabama leap-frogged over land-based betting when daily fantasy sports were approved. Providers have to be registered with the Office of the Attorney General.
Other Online Gambling in Alabama Current Alabama gambling laws are strict and prohibit most forms of gambling. The odds of online gambling coming to Alabama do not appear great over the short term, but lawmakers have studied the issue and may consider action in the future. There are several laws in the Code of Alabama that pertain to gambling. You might be wondering whether you can join Alabama online casinos – and that’s a fair question considering that Alabama has strict gambling laws. Alabama has never been a major gambling. The nature of gambling does raise many moral issues. In a state such as Alabama, which has a very high religious population, one can imagine how this resistance might present itself and become a particularly difficult force to overcome. Read more fantastic review on the state of online gambling.
However, there may be no state more confused about its identity with respect to gambling than Alabama. It has forged its own unique place as perhaps the most on-again, off-again state in the union.
Gambling In Alabama Information
Online gambling
Alabama’s official stance on online gambling is similar to that of many states. There is no law definitively for or against online gambling in the Heart of Dixie. However, the only brand of gambling that is securely legal in Alabama is pari-mutuel facilities.
Furthermore, there is no state lottery in Alabama. This negates a common avenue for proponents of gambling to introduce slot machine-type gambling to regions of the country. So, the current climate for typical online gambling is fairly negative, even though its status under the law is uncertain. AL sports betting is not yet legal.
However, Alabama is moving forward with the Fantasy Sports Bill. It recently cleared the state house and could become law in the near future. The bill, dubbed HB354, now moves to the Alabama State Senate. In theory, it could be on the governor’s desk within a few weeks. There are some rumbles of constitutional difficulty with the bill though, because of Alabama’s express prohibition of gambling in its chief legislative document.
Interestingly though, supporters of the bill have managed to turn the discourse about DFS into one where daily fantasy sports is primarily a skill game. Thus it cannot be considered gambling under state law. This structuring of the argument could potentially open the door for other expansions in the state for skill-heavy games, such as poker. For right now, the best thing to do is wait and see. But it does seem that things might be shifting down on the Delta.
Likely online gambling operators
| Operator | Notes |
|---|---|
| FanDuel/DraftKings | Largest daily fantasy sports operators – likely waiting in the wings for legislation to pass |
| The Poarch Band of Creek Indians | Own three casinos in eastern Alabama |
| Milton McGregor | Owns Victoryland racino and has endured work stoppages, lawsuits, and even arrests to bring gambling to Alabamans |
Social casino options
The social casino options in Alabama are typical of most states. Slotomania, Double Down Casino, Big Fish, ZyngaPoker, and Zynga Slots are all available.
However, Alabama’s laws are uniquely harsh when it comes to enforcement. Even social gambling is barred inside the state, to the point that players in home games have found themselves on the receiving end of the criminal justice system. Players should exercise great caution in playing any type of casino game in Alabama. This includes the free social ones on Facebook or mobile devices.
The option about which to be especially cautious is MyVegas. This is MGM’s free slots app that allows players to build up loyalty points in a banked account. The danger lies in the fact that these loyalty points can be exchanged for real-world comps at participating MGM properties and partners, including some properties in nearby Mississippi. It would not be a stretch for Alabama to apply its stringent anti-gambling laws to the receipt of these prizes.
State casino operator history
Pari-Mutuel wagering
Alabama has one of the more hit-and-miss gambling histories in the US. The state legalized pari-mutuel wagering on horse and dog races in 1971. Its first track opened in 1973, but the tracks have been malingering along by offering less-prestigious greyhound racing for several years.
Bingo
Its first bingo parlor opened in 1980 when a single county legalized it (Jefferson, through constitutional amendment). However, the state has had to pass 18 more amendments to bring bingo to each new county that desires the game.
Most notably, the game of electronic bingo has gone back and forth in legality several times since 2003. Voters in Macon County approved a constitutional amendment to allow the machines at the Victoryland racetrack. This began a comical cycle of the facility placing machines at the location and the government confiscating the machines and associated cash, along with closing down the entire facility, only to have the racetrack reopen again with new machines. This cycle has occurred at least twice, and many small debates have raged between these blow-ups. As of September 2016, Alabamans can once again play electronic bingo at Victoryland. No word on when the next raid and shutdown will occur.
Lottery
The state does not offer a lottery option to its residents, even though lottery is often the exception for many states (like Texas) that are traditionally opposed to gambling. Various important citizens in the state have been campaigning for a lottery since 1993. In fact, it was a major plank for Don Siegelman when he successfully ran for governor in 1998. Even so, he still couldn’t get the constitution amended to allow lottery. There was hope for some movement in 2020, but the regular legislative session adjourned without a hearing on any lottery proposals.
Casinos
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 allowed federally recognized tribes to operate gaming facilities on tribal lands, and in Alabama, the only tribe to do so is the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The tribe operates three Class II facilities (meaning no table games) in the eastern part of the state. They generate tax revenue for Alabama’s government. Naturally, the state sued the tribe in 2013 to close the three casinos. It took two years of litigation to finally have the suit thrown out.
The most silver of linings for Alabama residents is the state’s proximity to Mississippi. There are two different areas of note for casino gambling in Mississippi – Biloxi/Gulfport and Tunica. Over 30 casinos are spread across Alabama’s neighbor to the west, and the Biloxi locations are especially accessible to residents in the southern part of Alabama. Mobile is a short hour’s drive away.
Still, much like flowers in the desert, four facilities have managed to find a way to live in the Heart of Dixie. They are listed below.
Land-based casinos
| Property | Location | Ownership |
|---|---|---|
| Wind Creek Casino and Hotel Atmore | Atmore | The Poarch Band of Creek Indians |
| Wind Creek Casino and Hotel Wetumpka | Wetumpka | The Poarch Band of Creek Indians |
| Wind Creek Casino and Hotel Montgomery | Montgomery | The Poarch Band of Creek Indians |
| Victoryland | Shorter | Milton McGregor |
State Legal Environment
| Permitted/Offered? | Notes & Restrictions | |
|---|---|---|
| Land-Based Gambling | Yes | Pari-mutuel wagering mostly – some electronic bingo, but tentative legal status |
| Online Gambling | No | Daily fantasy sports may be available soon |
| Lottery | No | |
| Charitable or House-Based Gambling | Yes | Bingo only – NO SOCIAL GAMBLING |
| Minimum Gambling Age | 18 for pari-mutuel; 21 for casinos |
Alabama is one of the states where we'd be most surprised to see gambling legalized. It has no state lottery, all forms of gambling are illegal, and there's no serious talk of legalizinggambling or moving toward online casinos.
Online Casinos in Alabama
There are no online casinos in Alabama, and there are no indications that it will be legalized soon. Alabama does not even have a state lottery, which often indicates an openness to other formsof betting.
The nearest online casinos will be in West Virginia, which has already approved legislation. Tennessee has approved online sports betting.
But, you can still register with a legal online casino while you're in Alabama. That means you can get the casino's bonus offers or deposit, and then play whenever you're in stateswhere it's legal (even in a layover at the airport). (Do be aware of the casino bonus's expiry date, though.)
Land-Based Casinos in Alabama
There are no casinos in Birmingham, Alabama. However, there are two Montgomery, Alabama casinos within 15 miles from that city's downtown area: Wind Creek Casino Wetumpka and Wind Creek CasinoMontgomery.
For Mobile, Alabama casinos, the closest casino would be Wind Creek Casino Atmore which is about 50 miles northeast of downtown Mobile.
The only land-based casinos in Alabama are on Native American reservations.
There are no Alabama casinos with table games. All of these casinos in Alabama offer Class II video gaming machines, which are games that look like slot machines but are bingo games. Thespinning reels are for 'entertainment purposes' only.
Types of Casinos in Alabama
The only types of casinos in Alabama are those located on Native American reservations. These are all casino hotels and have Class II video gaming machines, but no table games.
List of Land-based Casinos in Alabama
Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Montgomery Montgomery
The Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Atmore is located in Montgomery, Alabama (in Macon county). This Native American casino has a 65,000 sq. ft. floor with over 2,200 games.The floor has separate sections for non-smokers and high-limit games, and the casino has a large bar and much-loved restaurant.
Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Atmore
The Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Atmore is located in Atmore, Alabama (in Escambia county). This is a Native American casino with over 1,700 games. There is a non-smoking section and also anarea for high-limit games.
Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Wetumpka
The Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Atmore is located in Wetumpka, Alabama (in Elmore county). Their floor has 2,500 games, with a separate section for high limit games and ano-smoking section.
Victoryland
Victoryland racetrack is located in Shorter, Alabama (Macon country). Currently, it has no live racing, but offers simulcasts and wagering for both greyhound and thoroughbred races. Itscasino floor has over 500 games.
Options For Gambling in Alabama
There has been little to change the existing legislative ban on gambling which dates as far back to the 19th century where gambling was predominantly done on steamboats. Playing in home gamesas well as social gambling settings can still be considered illegal under state law, as does friendly bets in office pools.
Alabama has some of the harshest penalties around. Simple gambling is a misdemeanor that could cost you up to three months in jail and a $500 fine for each infraction. Having a device forgambling is a felony and you will lose your voting and gun ownership rights while also having to pay $15,000 in fines.
Gambling venues within Alabama often include restaurants, buffets, as well as live entertainment. Some places offer resort-style amenities as well as areas to allow for sports betting alongsidedog and horse races.
According to the latest American Casino Guide, no public information is available regarding what slot machines payback to the public in Alabama. Unlike the casinos in Alabama, in many states,the slot machine payback statistics for that particular state’s casinos are released as a matter of public record. Just click here to see a list of slot machine payback statistics for all US States.
Alabama Land-Based Casinos Map
Map
Use our interactive Casinos Map to see all casinos in Alabama.
You can easily see all casino locations by using our Alabama casinos map. To zoom in, just click the + (plus) sign in the lower right corner of the map, or to zoom out, just click the – (minus)sign in the same area.
To move the map of casinos in Alabama, click and hold down either of your mouse buttons. Then use the hand icon to drag the map in whichever direction you desire.
Each of the red icons on the map is a casino location. Just click on any red icon to see the name of the casino at that location. If you want more information on that casino, simply click againon the casino's name and it will direct you to another page with detailed information on that particular casino, including address, phone number, toll-free phone number, room rates, casinosize, dining information, games offered, availability of discounts for seniors, any special features, and a direct link to that casino's website.
Gambling Laws in Alabama
The minimum age to gamble at casinos in Alabama is 21 and all Alabama casinos are open 24 hours. All Alabama casinos are run entirely by the Native Americans on their reservations as there isno legalized casino gambling within the state. While Alabama law has a wide definition of gambling, tribal casinos allow bingo as well as some forms of video gambling.
Table games are not legal under Alabama law, so many like to cross the Mississippi where table games are more available within the neighboring state. In 1901 Alabama defined gambling asany game for financial gain that implies an element of chance. For generations, the state has used this loose interpretation as a precedent to outlawing many popular gambling games.Interestingly enough, racing dogs and horses are exempt from the definition with the argument being that races are a game of skill, not chance.
Alabama Gambling Age
Alabama does not have a state lottery either, nor do they participate in any national programs of a similar nature. Bingo and various raffle games are legal as they fall under charitable gaminglaws through a very strict license that implies specific conditions be met.
At this time, however, no one in Alabama has been tried or charged for participating in any online gambling.
VictoryLand
In 2010 former Governor Bob Riley formed an aggressive anti-gambling task force. That year VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor was arrested along with 10 state senators in an FBIinvestigation. Although McGregor was charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, bribery, and honest services fraud, he was acquitted on all counts. VictoryLand was shut down in 2010 butreopened in 2016.
Useful resources
The Tribal Gaming Commission: http://pci-nsn.gov/wordpress/tribal-gaming-commission/
'Governor’s panel hears reports on lottery, Indian gambling compact' https://www.al.com/news/2020/05/governors-panel-to-hear-reports-on-lottery-indian-gambling-compact.html
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Is Online Sports Gambling Legal In Alabama
For more information on visiting casinos in Alabama, or for general tourism information, call the Alabama Tourism Department at (800) 252-2262, or visit their website at alabama.travel.