Alabama Online Gambling: Overview
- Legal Alabama online gambling options: None
- Who regulates Alabama online gambling? N/A
- Legal mobile gambling? No
- Do I need to be physically located in Alabama to gamble online? N/A
- Do I need to be a resident of Alabama to gamble online? N/A
- Sports available to bet on: Greyhound racing at dog tracks only.
- What can't I bet on? Sports.
A Brief History of Alabama Online Gambling
Alabama has not legalized online gambling, but multiple bills have been discussed in the state legislature. Gambling is not a priority in the state. There is no state lottery, and there are only three tribal casinos in AL.
The closest thing to sports betting is wagering at dog tracks throughout the state. Alabama is known for its greyhound racing, and they have multiple tracks that could become casinos in the future.
The bills that have failed in the past in AL have attempted to legalize retail and online sports betting. They have not included online casino gaming. There are less than ten states in the country that offer online poker, online casino gaming, or both, so do not expect this type of gambling to enter the state.
Nevertheless, sports betting will likely become part of Alabama’s economy in the next year. We say this because a bill was recently proposed that called for the creation of a state lottery, five commercial casinos, and sports betting.
Alabama is losing tax revenue to Tennessee who offers widespread mobile betting. The legalization of sports betting in TN has given Alabama residents hope that sports betting will be available. Tennessee approving sports betting was monumental because the deep south has not been as progressive as the rest of the country regarding betting of any kind.
Alabama Online Gambling: The Current Law
Alabama online gambling is illegal. This could change in the future, but as of March 2021, no laws have come to fruition.
Legal Online Sportsbooks
There are no legal online sportsbooks in Alabama. If sports betting is legalized in Alabama, the nation’s top providers are expected to flock to the state. Legal betting in the south is limited, but this does not mean people in the area do not want to test their luck on sports.
Some of the nation’s top books that could join the future Alabama market are DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and PointsBet.
Sports Betting in Alabama
No sports betting is available, but a few sports will prevail in Alabama’s market when this changes. Alabama does not have any major professional sports teams, but fans love college football throughout the state.
This fact is thanks to the dominance of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program under Nick Saban. If Alabama legalizes sports betting, expect them to allow bets on the Tide because of how popular the program is throughout the state.
The major sports should be widely bet in Alabama when sports betting is legalized. The main leagues that fans watch in the state are the NFL, MLB, NBA, and the NHL. Professional franchises are located in the states that border Alabama like Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida.
Here are some of the expected betting markets that should be available.
Legal Online Casinos in Alabama
There are no legal online casinos in AL and do not expect them anytime soon. Online casinos are a rarity in the United States compared to sports betting.
If residents want to play casino games, they have three landlocked options in the state: Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Atmore, Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Montgomery, and Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Wetumpka.
There are no table games allowed at casinos in AL.
Legal Online Poker in Alabama
Online poker will not be legalized in Alabama for a very long time. Poker in landlocked casinos is illegal, so we do not expect the legislature to legalize it in an online format. This law is because of religious beliefs that date way back in the history of the south.
How to Set Up an Alabama Online Gambling Account
If Alabama legalizes online gambling, you should be able to sign-up for an account in-person at a landlocked casino or online. The easiest way to sign up for a sportsbook account is through your mobile device.
When AL legalizes online gambling, you will need to be within state borders to register for an account. Some of the identification items you will need to provide are your name, address, date of birth, and social security number.
You will not need to be an Alabama state resident to bet on sports in the state. Registering for an online gambling account is an easy process. You will be betting in no time when registering from an online platform.
One important thing to remember when creating an online account is to choose a unique password. This will guarantee that nobody will be able to hack into your account and steal your winnings.
Alabama Banking Methods
Banking methods vary by the book, so your options will depend on the platforms that operate in the state when sports betting is legalized. The most popular ways to deposit and withdraw on sportsbooks throughout the United States are credit/debit cards, PayPal, Neteller, PayNearMe, e-Check through ACH Payments, or a banking wire.
All major sportsbooks will have a suitable payment method for you to utilize when sports betting platforms enter AL following legalization. Sportsbooks keep your information safe through intense security measures, so you should not have any fear of playing online.
The Future of Online Gambling in Alabama
The future is relatively hopeful for Alabama online gambling, but the legislative process will not be an overnight development. Gambling is still frowned upon in AL because of religious beliefs, so it would be monumental to legalize sports betting.
There have been efforts that have made progress in the AL legislature. Tennessee’s addition of sports betting also favors Alabama because the state will not want to continue losing out on tax revenue.
Sports betting is promising, but online casino betting is not being discussed in the state. Alabama has come a long way in recent decades with gambling. The state has imposed horse and dog racing as well as bingo and slots at tribal casinos.
Sports betting would be the next step towards gambling modernization, and I expect it to come within the next couple of years.
