Alabama Sports Betting: Find the Best Legal Safe Bookies

For some time, Alabama had a reputation for being one of the most anti-gambling states in the United State. In recent years, it seems as though there’s been a small but gradual shift toward expanded gambling, with legal Alabama sports betting even on the cards. For the time being though, sports betting is still illegal in Alabama.

In this Alabama sports betting guide, we’ve discussed the current laws around sports betting, how this may change in the future, and other forms of betting that players can enjoy. Luckily, Alabamans have a number of other betting options, so we’ve helped to give you all that you need to make the best gambling choices.

What Betting Options are Legal for Alabama Residents

There may be no sports betting in Alabama yet, but there are still a number of gambling options that players can wager real money on. This includes daily fantasy sports, horse race betting and even some slot and bingo games at one of the state’s tribal casinos.

Is Daily Fantasy Legal in Alabama?

For some time, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) was declared illegal by the AL Attorney General. Then, in 2019, Alabama decided that the skill-based gameplay in DFS meant that it was different from regular gambling and declared DFS legal. Now, Alabama players can legally enjoy DFS drafting of players from all major sports leagues, making it the closest thing to legal online sports betting in Alabama.

Both FanDuel and DraftKings operate in AL, both of which are perhaps the best known, popular and reputable sports betting sites in the United States. Both websites also now offer trusted sportsbooks to states where sports betting is legal, but this is not yet the case for Alabama users. When it is, it’s possible that either may become the only legal Alabama sports betting app.

Are there Legal Offshore Sites for Alabama Players

As there is no legal Alabama online sportsbook, some bettors in the state access off-shore bookmakers like Bovada and MyBookie to place their bets. They can use these because states don’t technically forbid these bets, so off-shore betting remains in a legal gray area. However, because they’re not licensed, these websites may not be fair or safe. Also, as they are accepting players from illegal markets, they can hardly be trusted. It’s best to wait for legal online sports betting in Alabama.

Casinos

Alabama is currently home to three land-based casinos, all of which are owned and operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. As the only federally-recognized Native American tribe in Alabama, the Poarch Creek Indians are alone in their right to sidestep state laws that outlaw casino gambling.

However, the gambling that is offered at these casinos is heavily restricted. When you visit an Alabama casino, don’t expect to play table games such as poker, blackjack or roulette. Instead, you will only be able to play bingo or on slot machines. For more gambling options, players will need to travel to a state where they are legal.

Racetrack Betting

In addition to these limited casino games and daily fantasy sports, Alabamans can also place bets at one of the state’s numerous race tracks. Only greyhound racing is available to watch live, though there has been some growing concern that the greyhound tracks be shut down for animal safety concerns.

Unlike other states that allow off-track betting, all wagers on races must be placed at the racetrack. Here, bettors can bet on both the games that are happening live at the track or on a live race simulcast at the venue. Until there is legal AL sports betting, racetrack betting may be a great alternative.

Nearby States with Legal Sports Betting

If you want to get a taste of what legal online sports betting Alabama would be like, why not travel? There are no laws against Alabama residents going out of state to try their hand at a sportsbook. Alabama is in a privileged position for sports betting as it borders a number of states with legal sportsbooks, see our home page for more info.

In particular, Tennessee is a great option, as it allows for both in-person mobile wagering. Below is a list of more nearby states with sports betting.

• North Carolina
• Tennessee
• Mississippi

What would Legal Sports Betting in Alabama Look Like

Although sports betting is illegal in Alabama, this doesn’t mean it will always stay that way. In fact, there are currently a number of legalization bills being considered by government officials that could see sportsbooks established. Both bills are committed to allowing mobile betting, meaning bettors could bet from the comfort of their own homes.

If there was legal Alabama online gambling for sports, we imagine that most major leagues and college division games could be bet on. A legal Alabama online sportsbook would also ensure that players are old enough to play, problem gamblers are protected and payouts are fair. This would all be overseen by a state regulatory body that would act in the best interest for state residents.

What are the Alabama Gambling Laws

The Alabama gambling laws are quite clear in that all forms of casino gambling are illegal outside of tribal reservations. The law even prohibits the sale of lottery tickets, making it one of only five US states that do not have a state lottery. Tribal casinos are only allowed to offer bingo and slot machines, meaning popular games like poker and blackjack are outlawed.

Pari-mutuel wagering on racing was the first legal gambling option in the state. It was legalized in 1973 with the opening of the state’s first greyhound racetrack. In 1987, a horse racing track was established. At first, it was popular with locals, but declining attendance soon shut down the races and now, only greyhound races take place in Alabama.

Even when DFS was first introduced to the state, it didn’t take long for lawmakers to threaten legal action for offering what it perceived as illegal gambling. It took years for lobbyists to convince the state that DFS players relied on skill to win. As Alabama defines gambling as wagering on a game of chance, DFS was incompatible with this definition.

If Alabamans want to gamble on more options, their best bet is to travel to a state that offers legal casino games or online betting. As Alabama’s laws surrounding gambling are much more conservative than most other states, it won’t be hard to find a state with more relaxed gambling laws.

As the table above shows, the gambling options are severely limited. If players want to partake in DFS betting, they must be 19 years old to sign up. If players want to bet at a racetrack or play a slot machine at a tribal casino, players must be 21 years old or over.

What is the Future of Sports Betting in Alabama?

For some time, it has seemed as though Alabama would always reject the idea of gambling expansion, but there are signs that the tides are changing in the state. A recent bill introduced in the Alabama House of Representatives seeks to legalize sports betting at physical locations as well as online.

It’s possible that licenses to operate sportsbooks would be awarded to both FanDuel and DraftKings, both of whom already have a presence in the state with their DFS apps. The bill is supported by the Poarch Creek Indians, and a number of lawmakers have been outspoken in their support of legalization. There could be legal website soon.

If the bill passes, a total of four licenses will be given to operators to offer sports betting in Alabama. This would likely include the Poarch Creek casinos and the horse racing tracks, as well as some popular online operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel. However, until the bill is passed, only players from legal sport betting states will be able to place sports bets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have questions about how sports betting works in Alabama? Maybe you’re curious about online betting? Below, we’ve answered some commonly asked questions about the gambling industry in Alabama so that you can be sure that you are betting legally and safely.