Alabama Online Gambling
Alabama online gambling options are limited due to the state’s restrictive laws. The state constitution forbids the establishment of a state lottery and general commercial casino gambling, which extends to online casinos and sports betting.
However, limited exceptions exist for daily fantasy sports (legalized in 2019), advance deposit horse racing wagering (ADW), and sweepstakes casinos. The latter leverage a loophole in state and federal sweepstakes laws to offer casino-style games with real prizes with “no purchase necessary.”
This page provides comprehensive overview of Alabama’s online gambling options, legal alternatives, recent legislative efforts, and consumer protection resources for players.
Legal Alabama Gambling Apps
21+ and present in AL. T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700.
Alabama Online Gambling Overview
| Type of Gambling (minimum age to play) | Legal Status | Notes |
| Online Casinos (n/a) | Illegal | Prohibited by Const. Art IV § 65 and AL Code §§ 13A-12-20-13A-12-31 |
| Sweepstakes Casinos (18+) | Legal/Unregulated | Operated under sweepstakes laws; legal gray area in Alabama |
| Online Sports Betting (n/a) | Illegal | Repeated legislative efforts have failed |
| Daily Fantasy Sports (19+) | Legal/Regulated | Legal under Fantasy Contests Act (2019) |
| Fantasy Pick’em (19+) | Legal/Regulated | Covered by Fantasy Contests Act; no player-vs-house contests |
| Online Lottery Sales (n/a) | Illegal | No state lottery; online sales prohibited |
| Online Horse Racing (18+) | Legal/Unregulated | Advance deposit wagering is accessible but not formally authorized/regulated |
Alabama Online Casinos
Online casinos are illegal in Alabama.
The constitutional ban on lotteries (interpreted by courts to cover slot-style and other chance-based games) combines with criminal Code §§ 13A-12-20 et seq. to prohibit real money online casinos in Alabama.
Why Alabama Online Casinos Remain Illegal
Alabama is unlikely to legalize online casinos over the near term due to three primary reasons:
- Constitutional hurdle: Any expansion that includes games of chance would require a constitutional amendment approved by 60% of both chambers and statewide voters.
- Tribal compact leverage: The Poarch Creek Indians, Alabama’s only federally recognized tribe, already operate Wind Creek casinos and oppose legislation that might curtail tribal exclusivity.⁸
- Political headwinds: Religious and anti-gambling advocacy remains strong, and Senate leadership has repeatedly blocked casino bills.
Unlike many states that have embraced online gambling for its revenue potential, Alabama has consistently resisted expansion beyond the limited tribal gaming, pari-mutuel wagering, and daily fantasy sports contests currently permitted.
Any effort to legalize online casinos would require a constitutional amendment, which must be approved by a vote of the public. Legislative attempts to place such measures on the ballot have consistently failed to gain sufficient support, often stalling due to disagreements over the scope of gambling expansion and revenue allocation.
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the only federally recognized tribe in Alabama, operates three Class II tribal casinos (Wind Creek Atmore, Wind Creek Wetumpka, and Wind Creek Montgomery). These facilities are permitted to offer electronic bingo-based games, but not traditional Class III casino games like slot machines or table games.
The tribe has expressed interest in a gaming compact with the state to offer Class III gaming, but no agreement has been reached. Such a compact would likely be a prerequisite for any tribal-led online casino initiative.
Legalization Efforts
Recent attempts to expand gambling and potentially online casinos in Alabama have consistently failed.
In 2021, a comprehensive bill proposing a state lottery, six new casinos, and a gaming commission was introduced but did not pass the House.
In 2024, HB151 and HB152, which included provisions for casinos and sports betting, passed the House but were scaled back in the Senate to exclude casinos and sports betting before ultimately failing.
Sweepstakes Casinos in Alabama
Sweepstakes casinos are readily accessible in Alabama but operate in a legal gray area.
Alabama sweepstakes casinos are a popular workaround for residents because they offer casino-style games like slots, blackjack, and online roulette with the potential to earn real cash prizes.
Major sweepstakes casinos like WOW Vegas and Stake.us accept Alabama customers and operate under a “no purchase necessary” model to avoid the state’s strict legal definition of “gambling.”
Legal Status and Scrutiny
Despite technically complying with state law, Alabama sweepstakes casinos face mounting regulatory threats and legal uncertainty.
Multiple lawsuits have been filed in Alabama against major sweepstakes operators, including VGW (the parent company of Chumba Casino) and Yellow Social Interactive (the company behind Pulsz Casino).
These lawsuits argue that the sweepstakes model is a subterfuge for illegal gambling under state law. The plaintiffs contend that the sale of virtual “coins” for chances to win cash prizes constitutes an illegal gambling transaction, regardless of the free-play options available.
These cases are ongoing and represent a significant threat to the availability of sweepstakes casinos in Alabama.
The primary implication for players is risk. Although players themselves are not the targets of legal action, a court ruling that declares sweepstakes casinos illegal could force operators to cease serving Alabama customers abruptly.
Alabama Online Sports Betting
Online sports betting is illegal in Alabama.
Efforts to legalize sports betting in Alabama typically include establishing a gambling commission, setting taxation rates, and negotiating tribal compacts. However, each session ends with these proposals falling short, often by just a few votes.
The good news for proponents is there’s considerable support for legalization in the Alabama legislature. Since 2019, Alabama lawmakers have consistently introduced bills to legalize online sports betting.
Recent Alabama Sports Betting Proposals
House Bills 151 and 152 (2024) sought to authorize retail sportsbooks and online sports betting in Alabama, but the Senate removed sports-betting provisions.
The 2025 session saw renewed interest, but Senate leadership quickly declared gambling legislation dead for 2025.
2024: HB 151 and HB 152
A 2024 Alabama sports betting proposal passed overwhelmingly in the House (72–29). It included provisions for online and in-person sports betting, land-based casinos, a lottery, and an Alabama Gaming Commission.
In the Senate, these bills were stripped of sports betting and casinos; only a lottery and pari-mutuel wagering remained. The transmission back to the House triggered a conference committee that ultimately failed to reconcile differences.
A Senate test vote fell one short of the 21-seat threshold required for constitutional amendments.
2025: HB 490 and Senate Draft
Rep. Jeremy Gray sponsored HB 490 in 2025, which proposed:
- Authorizing online sports betting in Alabama
- Establishing a licensing process
- A 10% tax on net gaming revenue
- Revenue allocation for the general fund and education
Sen. Greg Albritton also circulated a scaled-down draft for gambling legalization including online sports betting. Despite his influence, Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger confirmed the legislative package lacked sufficient support in early April.
Outlook
The future of online sports betting in Alabama hinges on three interlocking conditions:
- Senate leadership must prioritize gambling bills. Current members continue to gauge support cautiously and avoid floor votes.
- A constitutional amendment is mandatory, requiring approval by 60% of both chambers and ratification via statewide referendum.
- Tribal collaboration is essential. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians will wield considerable influence if lawmakers pursue legalization via renegotiated state-tribal gaming compacts.
Despite high demand and potential annual tax revenues projected at $60–90 million, legislators view the issue as politically complex.
The governor’s office supports putting the question to voters, and lawmakers say they are waiting on the Senate to take leadership.
Alabama Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests are legal and regulated in Alabama.
After a period of being deemed illegal by the state’s Attorney General in 2016, the legislature passed the Fantasy Contests Act in 2019. The law officially legalized DFS contests and established consumer protection regulations.
Under the law, all Alabama fantasy sports operators must register with the Attorney General’s Office and pay an annual registration fee.
The minimum age to participate in paid fantasy contests in Alabama is 19.
Fantasy Pick’em Apps in Alabama
Fantasy pick’em contests are legal in Alabama but operate under specific restrictions.
These games, offered by operators like PrizePicks and ParlayPlay, require users to predict whether athletes will exceed their projected totals in states like rushing yards, free throws, etc.
In 2023, numerous fantasy pick’em operators reached an agreement with the Alabama Attorney General to shift to a peer-to-peer format to avoid classification as illegal sports betting.
Alabama Online Lottery
Online lottery sales are illegal in Alabama.
Alabama is one of just several states without a lottery, and no online sales are permitted. Additionally, federal law prevents residents from buying other states’ lottery tickets online.
Legislative efforts to establish a lottery, such as in 2021, 2024, and 2025, have failed due to conservative opposition and the need for a constitutional amendment.
After the failed 2025 effort, Sen. Greg Albritton stated that he was extremely disappointed and declared efforts to expand gambling in Alabama dead for the next 20 years.
“We’ve tried everything we can on this bill over the years,” he said. “One thing has been proven is that it doesn’t matter what the bills says, period. If the word ‘gaming’ or ‘gambling’ shows up on the page, it’s a ‘no’ vote.”
Online Horse Racing Betting in Alabama
Alabama law is silent on advance-deposit wagering, but the federal Interstate Horseracing Act permits online horse racing betting if it’s not prohibited by state law.
Residents can sign up for accounts and bet on horse races through most major ADWs, including TwinSpires and AmWager. Although Alabama doesn’t regulate online horse racing betting, the most prominent ADWs hold licenses in other states.
The minimum age to bet on horse races in Alabama varies; some ADWs accept Alabama customers 18+, while others (including FanDuel Racing) require users to be 21 or older.
Alabama Gambling Regulators
Given its limited gambling landscape, Alabama does not have a single, overarching gaming commission. Regulation is fragmented across several bodies:
- Alabama Attorney General’s Office: Oversees the registration and regulation of Daily Fantasy Sports operators under the Fantasy Contests Act.
- Poarch Band of Creek Indians Gaming Commission: The tribal gaming agency responsible for regulating the gaming activities its casinos.
- County-Specific Racing Commissions: Pari-mutuel wagering at the state’s dog tracks is overseen by local commissions, such as the Birmingham Racing Commission and Macon County Racing Commission.
Responsible Gambling Resources in Alabama
Numerous responsible gambling resources are available in Alabama:
- Alabama Council on Compulsive Gambling (ACCG): Offers information, support, and treatment referrals. They can be reached at (334) 277-5100.
- National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG): Provides a national, 24/7 confidential helpline. Call 1-800-GAMBLER or text 800GAM.
- Gamblers Anonymous: A fellowship of individuals who share their experience to solve their common problem. Meetings are available across the state.