Sports is a way of life for many Alabamans, though unfortunately the same cannot be said for sports betting. While we would love to offer you some suggestions on the best Alabama sports betting sites, wagering on sports is currently illegal in the state. Instead, we’ll use this guide to discuss the current laws, the future outlook and whether alternatives exist.
It’s important to respect Alabama’s sports betting laws, as the lack of legal options in the state means that wagering with offshore bookmakers is risky. Not only could the law punish you, but websites without licenses are likely to have less player protection measures. However, as this guide will prove, Alabamans are not completely without gambling options.
Current Alabama Sports Betting Situation
Alabama is one of the most strict states when it comes to adopting anti-gambling legislation, meaning that it could be some time before the state legalizes it. However, this hasn’t stopped lawmakers from attempting to overturn these bans, with four unsuccessful legislative attempts made in 2019 alone.
In the wake of these bills’ rejections, lawmakers have recently put forward a revamped legalization bill that seeks to legalize sports wagering in the state.
If this bill passes, players would be allowed to bet at both physical and Alabama online sportsbook, meaning there would need to be a number of Alabama sports betting sites created. The future for sports betting in Alabama is uncertain, with the state known for being quite conservative on a number of political issues.
As gambling isn’t well represented in the state, it also makes it more difficult for gambling interests to lobby politicians and sway them toward legalization of AL sports betting sites. Despite this, there are no explicit laws that prevent residents from wagering on sports at physical sites outside of the state. Additionally, restrictions on offshore online sports betting is not enforced by authorities, meaning that offshore sportsbooks can be accessed and used, though we don’t recommend it.
Are Alabama Daily Fantasy Sports Apps Available
Though there is technically no Alabama sports betting app, there are a number of daily fantasy sports (DFS) options that residents can enjoy. This is because in 2019, the state legalized DFS, opening the gates for popular DFS platforms including DraftKings and FanDuel to offer their games to Alabama’s sports fans in the USA.
The path to legalized DFS betting in Alabama was not without its challenges, with DFS initially declared illegal in 2016 by the state’s Attorney General. After years of passionate campaigning by players and politicians, a bill was finally passed to open up the DFS books to Alabama.
Daily fantasy sports differs from sports betting as it requires players to draft fantasy lineups of players from different teams every week. Scores are tallied based on the real-life performance of players. It has been argued that DFS differs from regular gambling as it requires skill to be good as opposed to luck.
The current laws allow for DFS players to draft all major professional sports leagues, including the NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB and MLS. Unlike many other states, Alabamans can also draft fantasy lineups for college leagues which is a great inclusion considering the state’s love for college sports.
Alabama Online Casinos
The rules around gambling at online casinos in Alabama are murky at best in that there are no laws that specifically outlaw online casinos within the state. This isn’t to say that there are popular Alabama online gambling sites operating for the state’s players, rather that playing at outer-state online casinos will not be punished.
As these casinos are not regulated by the state, we would recommend you try your luck at Alabama’s four physical casinos, three of which are run by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians including the Wind Creek casinos in Montgomery and Wetumkpa. Here, players can enjoy a number of slot and bingo machine options, as well as place bets on horse and greyhound races.
Online State Lottery in Alabama
Since its creation, the state of Alabama has outlawed all forms of the lottery, whether physical or online. This makes it one of only five states in the country to ban a statewide lottery, which is quite unfortunate considering the huge potential to generate state revenue from the games.
However, good news may soon be on the horizon, with a bill to create a state lottery recently introduced to the House. The bill has currently gained 70 cosponsors including the Speaker of the House, signalling a huge change in attitudes surrounding gambling in Alabama and the possibility of AL sports betting sites.
Off Track Horse Betting in Alabama
Although Alabamans are still unable to bet on sports, a popular alternative is dog race betting. There are a number of racetracks within the state borders which allow bettors to place bets at the tracks. However, unlike most states, Alabama doesn’t have horse race tracks.
All bets on these races must be placed ontrack, meaning that there are no off-track Alabama online bookies that can legally take these bets. This doesn’t seem to turn off punters, who still show up in large numbers to place wagers on both kinds of races.
What Would Legal Alabama Sports Betting Look Like?
If all goes well in the next year or two with the recently introduced sports betting bill, Alabama’s locals may be in for an even more unrestricted betting experience than many other states with legal sports betting. Firstly, the bill seeks to allow online wagering, which a number of states have opted not to do. The bill would also see a total of four licenses offered to operators eligible for offering 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.
The bill would also create the Alabama Sports Wagering Commission to help regulate the activities. As it stands, the bill will still need to go under committee review, but there’s no reason to believe that Alabamans won’t be able to bet on their favorite sports leagues and even college games featuring the Alabama Crimson Tide. The passing of the bill would be the best case scenario for the state, as it would provide a regulated and safe betting environment for players with tons of betting options and bonuses for new players.
Final Thoughts
Ten years ago, we’d have never believed that Alabama would be showing such an interest in evolving their betting laws. With both legalized sports wagering and a statewide lottery now on the table, Alabama may just create a sports bettor’s dream. Not only will sports wagering be legal to play online, but the state should allow some of the best online betting sites in the country. For the time being, locals can enjoy a number of slot machine and racing options, as well as DFS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have some questions about the laws and regulations surrounding Alabama sports betting sites? Below, we’ve provided answers to a number of frequently asked questions about the state of gambling in Alabama so that you can be certain of your options and the laws that govern them.
Is online gambling and sports betting legal in Alabama?
Currently, online casino gambling exists in a legal gray zone in Alabama, as there are no laws that specifically prohibit it. Sports betting, on the other hands, is still illegal. We would recommend our readers only bet with licensed Alabama online bookies, so for the time being, this isn’t possible.
What is the Alabama legal gambling age?
When it comes to Alabama’s gambling laws, the state is particularly strict in requiring all players must be over 19 years old to bet. However, players must be 21 or older if they are to bet at casinos or racetracks that serve alcohol.
Are unlicensed bookmaker sites safe?
Though Alabama offers a limited number of gambling options, some players may be tempted to join unlicensed online bookmakers to play. Although some may appear to have good reputations, we believe that bookies without licenses could always be acting dishonestly, so they are not safe nor trustworthy.
Can I use off-shore or out-of-state internet betting sites to bet?
As out-of-state or off-shore bookmakers tend to be created in foreign jurisdictions with different gaming laws, there’s a lot to be concerned about when signing up. Although using these websites is not technically illegal and won’t be punished, in the case that you ever run into a problem with the site, you may find it extremely difficult to resolve the issue. Proceed with extreme caution.
Can I use the FanDuel or DraftKings app in Alabama?
Although Alabama player’s can’t use FanDuel and DraftKings to place sports bets in the state legally, they are able to use the platforms for daily fantasy sports betting. Both websites are equally reputable amongst players, so we recommend taking the time to try both to see what you prefer.
Do Alabama casinos have sportsbooks?
Alabama’s casinos do not have sportsbooks, with the Poarch Creek casinos even offering no off-track betting for racing. However, a number of the state’s racetracks offer customers casino-style gambling opportunities, whether they be bingo machines or digital slot machines.