- A House of Representative member introduce a bill to legalize Alabama sports betting and the lottery
- An Alabama Senator today also revealed legislation to legalize sports betting
- Sports betting support is still lacking in the Yellowhammer State
Two new Alabama sports betting plans were revealed for the Yellowhammer State, but legislative support may still be lacking.
Rep. Jeremy Gray (D-83) this week introduced HB 490, a bill to legalize sports betting and establish an Alabama Gaming Commission to regulate the new form of gaming.
Additionally, Sen. Greg Albritton (R-22) today revealed a new sports betting plan to members of the Alabama media to legalize online sports betting, a state lottery, and allow for tribal casinos.
Once More Unto the Breach
Gray’s legislation requires the establishment of the Alabama Gaming Commission, which would oversee the new form of gaming and issue sports betting licenses to operators. The state would tax sports betting at a rate of 10%, with tax revenues being distributed as such:
- 40% to the general fund
- 40% to the education trust fund
- 20% to the NIL trust fund.
The NIL Trust Fund will also be established and will be overseen by the NIL Oversight Committee. The committee will distribute monies from the NIL Trust Fund for name, image, and likeness compensation paid to student athletes in Alabama.
Last year, the House of Representatives approved two bills to allow for expansive gaming changes in the state – including legalized sports betting and a lottery – but the bills were blocked in the Senate.
Gray’s legislation focuses mainly on sports betting legalization, while his counterpart in the Senate is planning for a more expansive gambling bill.
Familiar Senate Face Focusing on Sports Betting
Albritton today revealed details of his Senate gaming legislation to members of the Alabama media. According to AL.com, Albritton’s legislation calls for the legalization of a state lottery, electronic gambling at several state sites, legal sports betting, and allows the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to negotiate a gaming compact for up to four tribal casinos in the state.
Albritton has been a vocal Senate proponent of legalized Alabama sports betting, state lottery, and casinos for state tribes. He’s appeared several times this year on “The Jeff Poor Show” to discuss the issue, revealing that he’s trying to drum up support in the Senate for a gaming bill.
Despite his efforts, Albritton has said during each interview that he remains several votes shy of the necessary 21 needed to pass a bill. He said the same today, according to AL.com, before releasing details of his bill.
The legislation requires voter approval of a constitutional amendment during the Sept. 16, 2025 election. If approved by state lawmakers and voters, it would legalize the following:
- Sports betting
- Electronic gambling at former greyhound tracks in Jefferson, Macon, and Mobile Counties and at one bingo hall in each of Green, Houston, and Lowndes Counties
- A state lottery
- A requirement that a gaming compact be negotiated between the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and the governor to allow for up to four casinos
The plan is a reduced version of the House-approved bills from 2024. It also sets a 24% tax rate on net revenue from sports betting and electronic gambling, an excise tax on each electronic gambling machine, and a sports wagering tax on each bet.
Alabama may soon join the growing list of states looking to legalize sports betting, as two proposed plans have been unveiled in recent weeks. The plans, which come from different lawmakers, offer different approaches to how sports betting would be regulated and implemented in the state.
The first plan, put forth by Senator Del Marsh, would allow for sports betting at existing gambling facilities in the state, such as casinos and racetracks. Under this plan, these facilities would be able to offer both in-person and online sports betting to residents of Alabama. The plan also includes provisions for a regulatory body to oversee the industry and ensure that it operates in a fair and transparent manner.
The second plan, introduced by Representative John Rogers, takes a slightly different approach. This plan would allow for sports betting at a wider range of locations, including bars and restaurants that meet certain criteria. Like the first plan, this proposal also includes provisions for regulation and oversight of the industry.
Both plans have their supporters and detractors. Proponents argue that legalizing sports betting in Alabama would bring in much-needed revenue for the state, as well as create jobs and stimulate economic growth. They also point to the fact that many Alabamians already participate in illegal sports betting, and that legalizing and regulating the industry would help protect consumers and ensure that they are not taken advantage of by unscrupulous operators.
Opponents, on the other hand, raise concerns about the potential social costs of legalizing sports betting, such as increased problem gambling and addiction. They also worry about the impact that widespread sports betting could have on the integrity of sports themselves, with fears of match-fixing and other forms of corruption.
Ultimately, the decision on whether to legalize sports betting in Alabama will be up to the state legislature and the governor. Both plans will likely undergo further scrutiny and debate before any final decision is made. In the meantime, residents of Alabama will have to wait and see whether they will soon be able to legally place bets on their favorite sports teams.
