House in Alabama endorses measures for casinos, lotteries, and sports betting
In a surprising turn of events, the Alabama Senate has made significant changes to the gambling legislation that was previously approved by the House. The Senate has removed all language related to sports betting from the bills, leaving only the legalization of a state lottery and a few licensed slot parlors in contention. Therefore, sports betting remains excluded from the legislation currently under Senate consideration.
The initial bills, HB 151 and 152, which passed in the House, aimed to legalize sports betting and the lottery. However, the Senate's amendments have narrowed the focus, leaving only the lottery and slot parlors in the proposed legislation.
Regrettably, there has been no progress on sports betting legalization in Alabama during 2025, and no new sports betting bills have been introduced in the 2025 session so far.
The current legal gambling options in Alabama include tribal-based casinos, daily fantasy sports, and horse racing. Illegal gambling activities persist but are subject to enforcement efforts.
The proposed legislation will establish a regulatory framework for the state lottery, casino-style games, and sports wagering, should it pass through the Senate. The Alabama Lottery Corporation will be created to manage the state lottery, while the Alabama Gaming Commission will oversee wagering activities.
House Bill 152, proposed by Chris Blackshear and Andy Whitt, outlines regulations and taxation for these gaming activities. The legislation urges the governor to initiate negotiations for a compact with the tribe, and the state's gaming trust fund aims to allocate some funds to mental health care.
House Bill 151 grants the power to voters to decide on gambling matters in November. Voters will have a say on the future of gambling in the state, as per the bill. The gaming trust fund is the primary recipient of the revenue from casino-style gaming and sports betting taxes. A portion of the sports betting revenue would support law enforcement.
The Legislative Services Agency projects that the state could generate up to $900 million from the lottery, casinos, and sports betting, including revenue from a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The proposed bills pertain to the establishment of retail casinos and gaming establishments statewide.
A Gaming Enforcement Division will be established to monitor all gaming activities, with the purpose of combating illegal wagering. Sports betting would incur a 17% tax, primarily contributing to the gaming trust fund, and a portion would support law enforcement. HB 152 proposes a 24% tax on casino-style gaming, with 95% of the revenue designated for a gaming trust fund.
This news marks a stalled process where sports betting is excluded at the Senate level despite House approval of broader gambling bills including sports betting. The fate of sports betting legalization in Alabama remains uncertain as the bills progress through the Senate.
Despite the initial House bills, HB 151 and 152, aiming to legalize sports betting, the Alabama Senate's amendments have excluded it from the current proposed legislation, focusing instead on the legalization of a state lottery and licensed slot parlors. politics has intervened, as the Senate has left discussions about sports betting on hold, with no new sports betting bills introduced in the 2025 session so far.
