Will Gambling Expansion Make It Onto The Ballot In Alabama This Year?

In November, Alabama voters may get a second chance to vote on whether they want a state lottery. Online sports betting legalization and retail casino expansion could make their way onto the ballot as well. SB 293 and SB 294 are almost ready for their third readings in the Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee. After the third reading, lawmakers will vote. The Legislature is slated to adjourn on April 7.

Alabama has three Class II casinos, but only parimutuel wagering and daily fantasy sports are legal online. Gov. Kay Ivey commissioned a study that showed expanded gambling would benefit the state.

It gave revenue estimates for Lottery, Casino gaming and Sports betting.

Alabama governor is negotiating with Poarch tribe to amend the state's gambling compact with them. The state’s online sports betting and retail casino expansion would be solely through the tribe. In March, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont worked with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes to offer online casino, online Sports Betting, and online Poker in the Nutmeg State.

Bills introduced on March 3 would expand gambling in Alabama. They would create the Alabama Education Lottery and Gambling Commission and a Gaming Enforcement Division. It would limit the play of casino-style games to five licensed casinos. Online sports betting operators would need to be licensed by those casinos, and they would be taxed at 20%. The proposed legislation is not likely to pass this year.

A fifth licensed casino may be operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians at a location in DeKalb County or Jackson County. Satellite casinos may operate electronic gaming machines.