Over in Alabama, there are talks of enhancing penalties for illegal gambling on the table for 2025 which has become a troublesome problem in the state. Per a recent report, an Alabama lawmaker is trying to increase penalties for the illegal gambling operations that plague the state. The Alabama Legislature tackled several hot-button issues during the 2024 session, but none caused more chaos than a package of gambling bills that sought to legalize and regulate gambling in the state. Additionally, the proposed package of bills sought to legalize casino gaming in specific locations, and establish a statewide lottery and online sports betting. Finally, it would have also created a gaming commission to regulate gambling operations. Alas, after significant debate, gamesmanship, and subsequent gridlock, the House and Senate failed to reach an agreement before the session ended.
For this article, SBS will be going over what to look for from the latest gaming news coming from Alabama and also some other thoughts about Cotton State gaming.
According to the same report, while it is unlikely lawmakers will try to tackle the full issue again in 2025, State Rep. Matthew Hammett (R-Dozier) has pre-filed a bill to enhance penalties for the problem in 2024 sought to address. This is the preponderance of illegal gambling operations in Alabama. House Bill 41 (HB41) would increase the penalty associated with certain gambling-related crimes and provide a heightened penalty for a second and subsequent conviction.
Moreover, it would also further specify that electronic games of chance, including electronic bingo, video lottery terminals, and historical simulcast horse racing machines, are illegal gambling devices prohibited by law. Additionally, the lack of specificity addressed in this section of state law has led to confusion amongst law enforcement as multiple facilities have used the lack of specificity to skirt the law.
Additionally, HB41 would increase penalties for certain aspects of illegal gambling, from misdemeanors to felonies. Specifically, promoting gambling activity, conspiracy to promote unlawful gambling activities, and first-degree possession of gambling records would now be Class C felonies, with subsequent violations being Class B felonies. The bill also levies fines against operators for using illegal gambling machines or lottery tickets. The fine would be $1,000 per illegal gambling machine, $1,000 for possession of fewer than 100 lottery or instant win tickets, and $2,500 for possession of 100 or more.
The report also notes that a person commits the crime of promoting gambling activity if they knowingly profit from unlawful gambling other than as a player. Additionally, if they have control over premises being used to conduct unlawful gambling activity they would be charged as well.
Noted also in the report, you can also be charged with a crime if you permit an unlawful gambling activity to occur or make no effort to prevent its occurrence or continuation. In the report, there is a lengthy explanation from Hammett on these proposed changes. “No matter what side of the gambling issue you were on last session, whether a yes or no, everybody can agree we have a problem with illegal gaming in this state,” Hammett told a regional outlet. “This bill just enhances the penalties. If you get caught with a slot machine operation or are running scratch-offs or something like that, instead of a misdemeanor, it’s going to go to a felony.”
“It’s just trying to crack down. I mean, law enforcement and my district attorney actually went to a store, went in, and grabbed them. He just told me, ‘They’ll be back in six months because there’s no incentive for them not to. It’s just a misdemeanor. We’re not going after the clerks or anything like that. We are trying to go after the operators, the ones that own the businesses that run the illegal gambling operations.”
Part of Hammett’s bill, the article notes, would include a provision authorizing the state to destroy or dispose of any illegal gambling contraband as the court directs without the necessity of any secondary civil forfeiture action. The defendant would have to pay all costs associated with the seizure, storage, and disposal of the contraband. All seized property that is not destroyed may be sold. The proceeds from the sale shall be used first to pay the expenses of the proceeding for forfeiture and sales, expenses, advertising, and court costs. Additionally, the court shall award and distribute all remaining proceeds and any money forfeited to the seizing agency.
After you are all squared away regarding the latest gaming news and notes coming from the Cotton State, make sure to check out the awesome array of info for you at SBS. Of course, for even more information regarding gaming in the state, make sure to check out the sports betting in Alabama guide which covers a ton of great notes on the area. On a separate note, if you are interested in maximizing your wagers (and who isn’t), then make sure to peruse the best bonus betting sites rundown. On this page, you can find a catalog of the latest and greatest welcome bonus offers. Finally, for those on the go, the best betting apps breakdown is a fantastic page to peruse. Here you can learn about all the nuances of mobile betting and how you can stay on top of the action.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
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