Alabama House Endorses Measures for Casinos, Lotteries, and Sports Betting
In the heart of 2024, the Alabama House passed a comprehensive gambling legislation package, which included bills for a state lottery, casinos, and sports betting. However, the Alabama State Senate faced significant challenges and made significant changes to the bills, particularly in the removal of sports betting and iGaming provisions [1][4].
At the core of this legislative package is House Bill 152 (HB 152), a bill proposed by Chris Blackshear and Andy Whitt. HB 152 aims to combat illegal wagering through the establishment of a Gaming Enforcement Division, and it also includes provisions for the formation of an Alabama Gaming Commission to oversee wagering activities [1].
Under HB 152, a Gaming Enforcement Division would be established to monitor all gaming activities. The bill outlines regulations and taxation for sports wagering, a state lottery, and casino-style games. It proposes a 24% tax on casino-style gaming, with 95% of the revenue designated for a gaming trust fund [1].
The gaming trust fund established by HB 152 aims to allocate some funds to mental health care. Additionally, HB 152 urges the governor to initiate negotiations for a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians [1].
HB 152 also includes the establishment of an Alabama Lottery Corporation to manage the state lottery. However, it does not detail the locations where retail casinos and gaming establishments will be allowed to operate, nor does it define the powers and responsibilities of the Alabama Gaming Commission or the Alabama Lottery Corporation [1].
The legislative package, if passed, will progress to the state Senate for further consideration. The Legislative Services Agency projects the state could generate up to $900 million from the lottery, casinos, and sports betting under HB 152. Sports betting would incur a 17% tax, with a portion of the revenue supporting law enforcement [1].
Despite the initial passage of HB 152 in the House, no comprehensive gambling bills were introduced in the 2025 Alabama legislative session. The Senate and House have not yet agreed on a unified gambling legalization legislation, and as of mid-2025, Alabama has not legalized sports betting, a state lottery, or commercial casinos [1][2][4].
The future of gambling legislation in Alabama remains uncertain, with the possibility of future sessions revisiting the issue. For now, the gambling bills approved by the House in 2024 have not passed the Senate, and no subsequent unified gambling legalization legislation has moved forward since then [1][2][4].
References:
[1] Alabama Political Reporter [2] Montgomery Advertiser [4] AL.com
In the context of the proposed gambling legislation, the Alabama Gaming Commission, as outlined in House Bill 152, would oversee wagering activities, including sports betting and casino-style games, even though these provisions were removed during Senate deliberations. Regardless, HB 152 still includes provisions for a state lottery and the establishment of a Gaming Enforcement Division, despite sports betting no longer being part of the proposed legislation.
