Gambling Legislation to Return on Lawmaker’s Agenda in Alabama

With limited options for casino gambling, historical horse racing and a lottery, Alabama is among the states that is yet to grow its gambling industry. Sports betting is also off the table in the state, despite being available in most of the neighboring states.

Lawmakers May Give Gambling Expansion Another Shot Next Year

Despite the efforts of lawmakers, the expansion of gambling in Alabama hasn’t gained much progress. This may change as early as 2025 with the introduction of new bills proposing a gambling expansion. According to a newly released report, lawmakers who initially backed such legislation may give it another shot next year.

During the last legislative session, a bill calling for the expansion of gambling failed to progress. Rep. Andy Whitt, one of the sponsors of the gambling proposal that didn’t make it during the last legislative session, who was recently quoted by CBS42, revealed that lawmakers in the House may pass a bill proposing gambling expansion. While he admitted that he currently isn’t involved in the writing of such a proposal, Whitt said that it is highly likely for multiple bills to emerge next year.

Illegal Gambling Remains a Challenge

According to Sen. Greg Albritton, who backed the last legislative session’s gambling bill initially but decided to vote against it in the Senate, illegal gambling is one of the challenges Alabama is facing. Acknowledging that unlawful gambling isn’t going away, he pointed to the opportunity the legalization of such activities brings.

According to Sen. Albritton, if lawmakers in Alabama legalize certain gambling activities, the state can benefit from tax revenue, while at the same time protecting the well-being of the consumers. “Going from a lottery only to the comprehensive plan, to everything in between- and we haven’t been able to garnish the votes in both houses,” he added.

Recently, a pre-filed bill in Alabama for the 2025 legislative session proposed increased penalties for illegal gambling operators. The proposal sought to serve as a deterrent, reclassifying gambling-related charges from Class A misdemeanors to Class C felonies. In addition, the bill called for tougher penalties for repeat offenders, who may face between two and 20 years of imprisonment along with a fine of up to $30,000.

This week, Wind Creek Hospitality, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians-owned hospitality operator, inked an acquisition deal with the McGregor family for the Birmingham Racecourse and Casino. Upon confirming the acquisition, Wind Creek revealed that the transaction is set to close early in 2025.