Alabama House Passes Sports Betting Bill to Legalize In-State Gambling

Another domino has fallen in the quest to see sports betting legalized in all 50 U.S. States as the Alabama House of Representatives passed HB-151 and HB-152 on Wednesday, February 14 in a pivotal step towards bringing betting to the state.

One of twelve states that currently does not allow sports betting in any form, Alabama's two-bill package was passed by more than the 3/5 majority required. The pair of bills must still pass through the Senate but this marks a monumental push towards legalized wagering in a state with one of the biggest college football programs in the country.

The latest sports betting movement in the United States comes just weeks after Dimers reported that North Carolina had set its 2024 launch date for March 11.

HB-151 and HB-152 Aim To Legalize Alabama Sports Betting

A two-bill proposition, the first bill HB-151, is a broad attempt to legalize gambling in the state of Alabama, one that would have to pass voter approval should the state Senate also pass the bill.

The second bill, HB-152 is a far more detailed plan for regulating gambling in as many as five different forms, including online and retail sports betting, plus a state lottery, which currently is illegal in AL.

Should these bill make it through the state senate, they would be set for the ballot this November.

Creating the Alabama Gaming Commission

Beyond the aim to legalize gambling, the bills would specifically create a new body, the Alabama Gaming Commission, with up to seven licenses available for retail casinos. One of those licenses would be reserved for tribal casino rights, in addition to the three currently operating.

Will Alabama Senate Pass Sports Betting Bills?

It’s no secret that gambling of any form has faced difficulty gaining traction in Alabama, a state that hasn’t even had a lottery bill proposed in 25 years. If Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey's hopes are met, the voters will be eager to take Alabama into the next generation of gambling and sports betting this voting season.

“This year, when Alabamians make their way to the ballot box, I hope they will be voting on another issue: gaming,” Ivey said. “I believe the current proposal being contemplated by the Legislature is good for Alabama, and I will be carefully watching it move through the process.

Will Alabama Sports Betting Launch in 2024?

Although things could rapidly come together for gambling in Alabama, if everything goes right, the soonest Alabama voters could approve the gambling measures would be this November, meaning sports betting would be unable to launch until mid-late 2025 at the absolute earliest, with 2026 as likely, if not more so.

The Best Alabama Sportsbooks

We don’t know yet which sportsbooks will be available when the time comes, but expect many of the big players and familiar names to show their faces and it’s important for sports bettors to be informed and make the right sportsbook decisions when signing up for a new sportsbook in Alabama.

When they do, Dimers will be right here with our Best Sportsbooks Section, where users will find detailed reviews highlighting the pros and cons of every major sportsbook. The Dimers Score is a cutting-edge rating system designed to provide unbiased evaluations of sportsbooks.

Savvy users can usually secure hundreds of dollars in bonuses and with Dimers' help, you'll always know where to find the best promos.

Responsible Gambling

Please remember to enjoy gambling responsibly. Responsible gambling means setting limits, staying in control, and understanding that luck is just part of the game. Make informed choices, set a budget, and know when to take a break. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.