Is Gambling Legal In Alabama

The options for legal gambling in Alabama are plentiful and you can learn about legal Alabama online casinos, sportsbooks for Alabama residents, and poker sites legal in Alabama here on this site. An overview and timeline of gambling laws within the state of Alabama. Includes where to play legally, online gaming and charitable poker. Read about Alabama's poker laws and legal system here. This review covers casino gambling and legal Alabama poker sites as well as the history of Alabama gambling.

1. Is Online Gambling Legal In Alabama
2. Is Sports Gambling Legal In Alabama
3. Is Sports Gambling Legal In Alabama

When it comes to states synonymous with the South and its traditions, there may be no greater representative than Alabama. Its contributions and appearances in American history are legion, both good and bad.

However, there may be no state more confused about its identity with respect to gambling than Alabama. It has forged its own unique place as perhaps the most on-again, off-again state in the union.

Online gambling

Alabama’s official stance on online gambling is similar to that of many states. There is no law definitively for or against online gambling in the Heart of Dixie. However, the only brand of gambling that is securely legal in Alabama is pari-mutuel facilities.

Furthermore, there is no state lottery in Alabama. This negates a common avenue for proponents of gambling to introduce slot machine-type gambling to regions of the country. So, the current climate for typical online gambling is fairly negative, even though its status under the law is uncertain. AL sports betting is not yet legal.

However, Alabama is moving forward with the Fantasy Sports Bill. It recently cleared the state house and could become law in the near future. The bill, dubbed HB354, now moves to the Alabama State Senate. In theory, it could be on the governor’s desk within a few weeks. There are some rumbles of constitutional difficulty with the bill though, because of Alabama’s express prohibition of gambling in its chief legislative document.

Interestingly though, supporters of the bill have managed to turn the discourse about DFS into one where daily fantasy sports is primarily a skill game. Thus it cannot be considered gambling under state law. This structuring of the argument could potentially open the door for other expansions in the state for skill-heavy games, such as poker. For right now, the best thing to do is wait and see. But it does seem that things might be shifting down on the Delta.

Likely online gambling operators

Social casino options

The social casino options in Alabama are typical of most states. Slotomania, Double Down Casino, Big Fish, ZyngaPoker, and Zynga Slots are all available.

However, Alabama’s laws are uniquely harsh when it comes to enforcement. Even social gambling is barred inside the state, to the point that players in home games have found themselves on the receiving end of the criminal justice system. Players should exercise great caution in playing any type of casino game in Alabama. This includes the free social ones on Facebook or mobile devices.

The option about which to be especially cautious is MyVegas. This is MGM’s free slots app that allows players to build up loyalty points in a banked account. The danger lies in the fact that these loyalty points can be exchanged for real-world comps at participating MGM properties and partners, including some properties in nearby Mississippi. It would not be a stretch for Alabama to apply its stringent anti-gambling laws to the receipt of these prizes.

State casino operator history

Pari-Mutuel wagering

Alabama has one of the more hit-and-miss gambling histories in the US. The state legalized pari-mutuel wagering on horse and dog races in 1971. Its first track opened in 1973, but the tracks have been malingering along by offering less-prestigious greyhound racing for several years.

Bingo

Its first bingo parlor opened in 1980 when a single county legalized it (Jefferson, through constitutional amendment). However, the state has had to pass 18 more amendments to bring bingo to each new county that desires the game.

Most notably, the game of electronic bingo has gone back and forth in legality several times since 2003. Voters in Macon County approved a constitutional amendment to allow the machines at the Victoryland racetrack. This began a comical cycle of the facility placing machines at the location and the government confiscating the machines and associated cash, along with closing down the entire facility, only to have the racetrack reopen again with new machines. This cycle has occurred at least twice, and many small debates have raged between these blow-ups. As of September 2016, Alabamans can once again play electronic bingo at Victoryland. No word on when the next raid and shutdown will occur.

Lottery

The state does not offer a lottery option to its residents, even though lottery is often the exception for many states (like Texas) that are traditionally opposed to gambling. Various important citizens in the state have been campaigning for a lottery since 1993. In fact, it was a major plank for Don Siegelman when he successfully ran for governor in 1998. Even so, he still couldn’t get the constitution amended to allow lottery. There was hope for some movement in 2020, but the regular legislative session adjourned without a hearing on any lottery proposals.

Is Online Gambling Legal In Alabama

Casinos

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 allowed federally recognized tribes to operate gaming facilities on tribal lands, and in Alabama, the only tribe to do so is the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The tribe operates three Class II facilities (meaning no table games) in the eastern part of the state. They generate tax revenue for Alabama’s government. Naturally, the state sued the tribe in 2013 to close the three casinos. It took two years of litigation to finally have the suit thrown out.

The most silver of linings for Alabama residents is the state’s proximity to Mississippi. There are two different areas of note for casino gambling in Mississippi – Biloxi/Gulfport and Tunica. Over 30 casinos are spread across Alabama’s neighbor to the west, and the Biloxi locations are especially accessible to residents in the southern part of Alabama. Mobile is a short hour’s drive away.

Still, much like flowers in the desert, four facilities have managed to find a way to live in the Heart of Dixie. They are listed below.

Land-based casinos

State Legal Environment

In the U.S.A., there are three major laws pertaining to online gambling. One law pertains to online gambling on the whole, while the other two laws that are specifically about sports betting. Even then, one of these laws pertaining to sports betting is solely based on the licensing and creation of sportsbooks in each individual state. We have listed some background to these laws, and we have also included the text of the law on our page.

The major law pertaining to online gambling in the United States is the UIGEA, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. The UIGEA 'prohibits gambling businesses from knowingly accepting payments in connection with the participation of another person in a bet or wager that involves the use of the Internet and that is unlawful under any federal or state law.' This has effectively made it illegal for gambling sites and payment processors to accept these payments. Though the title of the law makes it sound like online gambling is illegal, it does not. Even state attorneys have admitted that online gambling is not illegal for the players, instead this law has effectively clumped the money laundering into online gambling - once again, this is only for payment processors and gambling sites.

Next up we come to the Wire Act of 1961. Written back in the 60's to combat organized crime, the Wire Act states a few things. First, let's look at the wall of text that is this law:

'Whoever being engaged in the business of betting or wagering knowingly uses a wire communication for facility for the transmission in interstate or foreign commerce of bets or wagers or information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers or any sporting event or contest, or for the transmission of a wire communication which entitles the recipient to receive money or credit as a result of bets or wagers, or for the information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.'

Since the Wire Act states wire communication, there has been some confusion over whether or not the laws pertain to the Internet. Though the Internet does use wires to transfer information, it had not been invented when the law was written. The Wire Act has also been ruled to only cover sports gambling and nothing more. Casino games and poker games have not been covered by the Wire Act. The courts have not yet determined whether or not there is a ban on online gambling due to this law.

Finally we come to the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992. More commonly referred to as the PASPA, or the Bradley Act, this law was written to determine the legality of wagering on sports in the United States. The PASPA has made it so only a few states in the nation can actually host sports lotteries. Oregon, Delaware, Montana and Nevada are the only states who can license anything closely resembling a sports betting scheme. Nevada has taken full advantage of this, while Delaware has done what they can - three game parlays on NFL games. Oregon and Montana have not regulated any sportsbooks. They are entitled to, but they have not actually used it. Whether or not this means sportsbooks licensed offshore operating in the United States can function legitimately.

So, there has little effort to actually ban online gambling in the United States, on a federal level. No arrest has been made due to this, so you will generally not have to worry about being indicted under any of these laws. For the most part, they only pertain to operating a gambling site. This effectively transfers liability away from you as the player. Remember that this is only based on the federal level, as the state's have their own right to determine whether or not online gambling is legal in the state.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal In The United States?

This is a bit tricky and it all depends on your definition of legal as well as interpretation of the laws. Using offshore sports betting sites are only held back by the Wire Act which as stated earlier prohibits sports betting through wire communication. In other words, if you're not present when making your bet at a regulated sportsbook, it is in violation of this act. However, it is widely debated that this law doesn't apply to the consumer either. Like state laws, the Wire Act primarily targets bookmakers, not the bettors. And even then, unless the betting sites operates on U.S. soil, there really isn't much that can be done about it. Below are our recommendations for sports betting sites that allow Americans to wager. Like the other sites we list, we use these sites ourselves and can attest to their quality.

BetOnline - Accepts Numerous Deposit Methods, Makes Everything Easy For USA Players

There are other online bookmakers that accept U.S. players that we like as much as BetOnline but they don't accept bettors from all 50 states. We're all about accessibility and that is the reason why BetOnline heads this group of legal US sports betting sites. And, BetOnline is very efficient which is always the mark of a well oiled machine. But, BetOnline didn't get to where it's at now overnight. They built trust with USA players and BetOnline is as discreet as they come. Their reputation for a safe online gaming environment combined with reliable payouts, a 25% to $900 bonus on every deposit, and all the sports you could ever want to wager on makes BetOnline the flagship for legal online sports betting in the U.S.

Are Online Casinos Legal In The United States?

Right now, unless you live in one of the states where online gambling is prohibited (listed to the right) it is not illegal to play online casino games for real money. And, even if you do live in one of those states, the chances of you ever being prosectued is slim to none. The state laws are out to get proprietors and operators of online gambling sites, and traditional gambling establishments for that matter, not the consumers of the product. Below is our online casino that has gotten the best user-reviews and it legally accepts players from all 50 U.S. States.

Is Sports Gambling Legal In Alabama

Lucky Red Casino - Operates Offshore, Not Subject To U.S. or State Gaming Laws

Is Sports Gambling Legal In Alabama

To start, you should know that we trust Lucky Red with our own money when we want to gamble in an online casino. We know that it is safe, and that Lucky Red is very discreet so the only way you could even potentially get into trouble is if you go blabbing all around town about it. Lucky Red accepts all USA players and even offers an outstanding 400% to $4,000 (LUCKYRED400) welcome bonus for those who want to play slots or a generous 100% to $1,000 (LUCKYRED100) bonus which can be used on most other games. Deposits are easy and legal as Lucky Red uses several reputable third party processors which ensure success. For legal casino gambling that can't be beat, you've got to try Lucky Red.

Is Online Poker Legal In The United States?

Again, this is a bit tricky to explain but only because there are a lot of misconceptions. The straight up answer is yes, but events like Black Friday have stained the reputation of a lot providers in the industry. The truth is that the poker sites that folded (no pun intended) were really companies you didn't want to do business with in the first place. Money laundering and other charges is what brought these sites down... not providing online poker to players in the United States. Still, a lot of new and previous online poker players are still wary from being burned. For this reason, it is paramount to online recommend poker sites which have reputable backing with a strong foundation in the industry. Because of that, you will not see many sites recommended below but do know that the ones we list are by the books.

Bovada - Accepts All U.S. Players Except Those In New York, Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey & Maryland.

We don't like teasing you with something that you might not be able to use but with online poker we have to be careful. As we stated above, it comes down to using a reputable company and not the online gambling laws. With that said, we absolutely recommend Bovada. You may not have heard the name yet, but chances are you have heard of Bodog. Well, Bovada is Bodog only rebranded for a North American audience. Bodog was probably the biggest name in all-around online gambling types for U.S. players until Bovada was launched and took it's place. Unfortunately, not all of you will be able to play there... those in New York, Utah, Maryland, and Washington state will need to find another option. But, all other 45 states are welcome to come and play freely. Bovada always has tons of tables running plus tournaments that seem to start hourly or sooner. Plus, their 50% to $250 deposit bonus is another reason to join. We rely on Bovada and you can too... even if you have been burned before.