The Alabama gaming package introduced earlier this April has been defeated in the state’s capital, a recent report notes. Per this update, state Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) conceded that there were not enough votes to forward his gaming bills that sought to initiate a statewide constitutional ballot referendum to allow tribal and commercial casinos. This would have included facilities with slot machines and live-dealer table games, sports betting, a state-run lottery, and electronic gaming devices as parimutuel locations. Since the Alabama Constitution would need to be amended by voters to allow casino gambling and a lottery, a 60% majority support in each chamber of the Legislature was needed for Albritton’s referendum measure.
For this report, SBS will be going over the latest gaming updates coming from the Cotton State, as well as some additional thoughts and notes regarding gaming in the region.
Noted in the same article, Albritton has been trying to legalize forms of gambling in Alabama for years. He says many Alabamians are already gambling illegally through offshore casino websites and sportsbooks, and more unsavory means like local bookies and underground gambling outfits. Additionally, the Senator believes regulating casinos, sports betting, and establishing a lottery would protect consumers while also creating critical forms of new state tax revenue. But whenever some lawmakers hear gaming, Albritton says they’re immediately opposed.
“We have tried everything we can on this bill over the years,” Albritton said in a report to a state media outlet. “One thing that has been proven is that it does not matter what the bill says. If the word ‘gaming’ or ‘gambling’ shows up on the page, it’s a ‘no’ vote.”
Albritton opined that the odds are good that Alabama will remain free of casino gambling and a lottery for at least the next two decades. “We have been struggling with this for 25 to 26 years already. I don’t see anything changing,” a defeated Albritton said.
Last year, Albritton was blamed for being the deciding vote against a gaming package compromise reached by a special joint legislative committee. Albritton voted down the measure because it did not allow the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, who operate an electronic bingo facility in the Senator’s district, to expand their reach with a commercial casino in the northern part of the state.
Per the same article, the Poarch Creek Indians have since acquired the Birmingham Racecourse, where the tribe had hoped to gain authorization through Albritton’s legislation to convert the property into a commercial casino resort. With the bill dead, the tribe’s bet on the shuttered racetrack will depend on its ability to grow revenue at the track through its approximately 300 historical horse racing (HHR) gaming terminals.
While gaming remains divisive in the capital, polling shows that this is not the case among the public, per the same article and other sources. For instance, in a February 2024 poll of Republican voters conducted by Virginia-based research firm Cyngal, published in the Alabama Daily News, 71% said they strongly support or somewhat support legalizing a lottery and authorizing casinos and sports betting to fund education and health care. Less than 21% said they would oppose such a gaming bill. The poll did have a margin of error of 4.3%, though. Additionally, Alabama is a Republican stronghold in the Bible Belt, and the state has not voted for Democratic presidential nominees since 1976, the report also adds.
So, as the report notes, Alabama will remain free of casinos, sports betting, and lottery gaming for the near future. With the latest gaming package being quickly defeated just days after its introduction, the legislation’s author thinks the gaming prohibition could remain for decades. Of course, things could very well change, but the article’s tone and recent history suggests that the appetite for gaming is there in the state, but state legislators are pretty conservative when it comes to measures like this.
That being said, if other southern states like Texas start to legalize gaming, there could be a domino effect. Of course, this author does not want to speculate too much on what could happen next in the region, but it seems as though, for now, the gaming debate in Alabama is going to cool off for some time. It remains to be seen when it will heat back up again in the near future or even beyond that.
After you are up to speed following the latest gaming news and updates coming from the state of Alabama, make sure to check out the excellent array of information for you only at SBS. Of course, for even more analysis on the topic of gaming in the state, the sports betting in Alabama guide has you covered with all of the latest news coming from the area and how you can stay on top of the action. Moreover, for those who qualify and are interested in maximizing their wagers, the best bonus betting sites rundown is a must-read page. Here you can find a catalog of the latest and greatest welcome bonus offers. Finally, for those eligible and on the go, the best betting apps breakdown is a fantastic resource to learn about the perks 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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