Gambling in Alabama
The Yellowhammer State, Cotton State and the Heart of Dixie area are a few of the alternate names for Alabama. It’s also the 24th most populous state in the United States. Being one of the Bible belt states, the gambling laws are restrictive and harsh. Therefore, gambling in Alabama is complex. Apart from Native American casinos, Alabama does not allow casino betting or lotteries. The state also prohibits bingo games. The exception to this is when the proceeds go to charity.
In this article, we’ll go through gambling in Alabama, its legal status and its history.
History of gambling in Alabama
The history of gambling in the state dates back over 100 years. Alabama has long and complex laws and regulations that govern its gambling activities. In addition, no commercial casinos are operating at the moment. Below, we discuss the most noteworthy events in the history of gambling in Alabama.
- 1901 — The Constitution of the State of Alabama considers all gambling activities illegal.
- 1902 — Alabama legalized parimutuel betting for horse and dog racing. This was because the result of the bet does not depend on luck or chance, but on the dog or horse’s skills. At present, only two tracks are operative.
- 1980 — An amendment in the law allowed charitable bingo betting.
- 1988 — Based on the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, casinos can operate on Native American land.
- 2003 — An adjustment in the constitution of Alabama welcomed electronic bingo devices at the Macon County’s Victory Land racetrack.
Is gambling legal in Alabama?
Not all gambling activities are legal in the state. Laws regarding gambling in Alabama allow some activities and prohibit others. Legal gambling in the state is limited to parimutuel betting, charitable bingo and daily fantasy contests.
Although there is a possibility that Alabama state gambling will be legalised, at present online gambling is in a grey area. In the meantime, players can still enjoy their favourite games at offshore sites.
Famous gambling games in Alabama
Currently, the games within the state are limited to horse and greyhound dog racing. Unfortunately, casino games like craps, roulette, slots and blackjack games are prohibited within the state.
Is online gambling legal in Alabama?
Although no law prohibits players from wagering at offshore sites, online gambling within the borders of Alabama is illegal. For that reason, Alabama casino players can join offshore casinos to wager their favourite games, including roulette, online slots, video poker, craps, baccarat, roulette and blackjack.
There is no information about any citizen prosecuted for wagering online games. However, players should be careful of the site they visit because no law binds offshore casinos that are in the state. While searching for offshore sites to wager with, it’s essential to consider licences from top regulatory bodies like the UK Gambling Commission, Curaçao eGaming, and the Malta Gaming Authority.
Alabama gambling laws
Gambling is defined as risking a thing of value on the outcome of a game of chance or future events, not under their control or influence. According to the law, gambling devices are prohibited in the state, hence, making casinos illegal. However, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians legally operates three casinos. In addition to that, the state legally runs two tracks for horse race betting.
Benefits of gambling in Alabama
Gambling can benefit Alabama in several ways. The most significant benefits are the increased employment and growth in local retail sales. It can generate huge revenues for the government. Another benefit is that players can enjoy themselves while also learning new games.
Cons of gambling in Alabama
While gambling in Alabama offers several benefits, it also comes with a downside. The con is in terms of gambling dependency. Players who become dependent will lose money in the long run.
Always gamble responsibly
The best way to avoid addiction is to gamble responsibly. Players should view gambling as fun and not as a path to success. Before you wager online, you must define your betting bankroll. Your betting limit can be daily, weekly, or monthly. In addition, we advise players not to chase their losses. If you think you are losing too much, the best thing is to walk away.
Summary gambling in Alabama
The future of gambling in the state of Alabama is still uncertain, as we can’t predict if the state will legalize online gambling. Since the Supreme Court nullified the Professional Amateur Sports Protection Act, two of Alabama’s neighbouring states — Tennessee and Mississippi, have legalized sports betting. However, Governor Kay Ivey developed a study group that claims the state can raise between $510 million and $710 million from casinos, lottery and sports betting.
Though the study group hasn’t recommended whether gambling should be legalized or not, they listed the kinds of games to be considered — jai alai, banked card games, sports betting, and a state lottery.