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Alabama Sports Betting: AL Sportsbook Apps
Alabama sports betting is not online yet so there are no legal betting apps currently live in the state.
Best Sports Betting Apps in Alabama
Alabama Sports Betting Apps: BetAmerica, Amwager racing app, and Twinspires mobile site. Expected Sports Betting App in Alabama: Look for other horse race betting apps (Android, iPhone) to become available in the state of Alabama in the very near future.
Betting markets/leagues/events via Alabama sports gambling apps: Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Local horse and greyhound races.
Mobile sports betting Sites in Alabama
For some reason, the state of Alabama has not gotten into the sports betting scene despite a few of their neighboring states recently legalizing it.
Alabama has some of the strictest laws in the country when it comes to gambling, but they do allow daily fantasy sports apps (Fanduel, Draftkings, Draft) and horse race betting mobile apps (BetAmerica Alabama, Twinspires Alabama).
There has been some talk in recent months about looking into the possibility of legalizing sports betting, but nothing has come of it. Until sports betting becomes legalized in Alabama then the possibility of having any mobile apps is pretty obsolete.
There are a few different horse race betting companies that have launched apps that residents of Alabama can take advantage of, and more are expected to become available in 2021.
Online sportsbooks in Alabama
Currently, there are no legal online sportsbooks or casinos in Alabama that accept sports bets from citizens of the state. It may come in 2021. Residents of Alabama that travel to Biloxi, MS – a one hour drive from downtown Mobile, AL – can place sports bets at Beau Rivage Resort and Casino.
Alabama casinos with sportsbooks (expected)
Wind Creek Casino and Hotel Atmore
Located in the town of Atmore, the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel has been in operation since 2009 and offers an overwhelming number of slot machines. There are no table games but a fully-functioning hotel complete with restaurants, bars, and shopping. Minimum bets start at .01 for traditional reel slots but vary depending of the game you choose. The minimum age for entry is 21.
Wind Creek Casino and Hotel Wetumpka
This product of Wind Creek is located just outside the major city of Montgomery and boasts over 2,500 slot machines available on their casino floor. There are no table games available and you must be over 21 for entry. Minimum bets begin at .01 and vary with the game you play. Wind Creek brings their top-notch hotel features here as well with plenty of rooms, restaurants and shopping.
Victoryland Casino Shorts
Located due west of Montgomery, Victoryland Casino Shorts is just a short drive from Alabama’s capital city. Victoryland is a bit different than other casinos in the state as if offers video bingo as well as simulcast greyhound and thoroughbred racing from around the country. They reopened in 2016 after a three year closure and are back with a popular product. You must be 21 for entry and they are closed on Tuesdays.
Prospects Of Sports Betting Legislation In Alabama By 2020
Following the Supreme Court decision on May 14, 2018 that struck down the federal ban on sports betting (PASPA), states can legalize sports betting with legislative approval. But Alabama, more than any Bible Belt state, has long recoiled over the notion of legalized gambling of any kind. Alabama has a constitutional provision involving lotteries and games of chance that other states do not.
An attempt to legalize Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) in Alabama came up short in 2016. Betting on sports legally in Alabama is still many years away as there is currently no sports betting bills filed and nothing yet planned for the Nov. 6 general election and 2019 legislative session.
However, for those that want to follow the live streams and betting-related legislative sessions in Alabama, you can click the audio links below for House and Senate legislative updates.
legislature.state.al.us/aliswww/HseAudio.htm
If the Alabama legislature were able to file a bill and approve sports betting, it would likely require a constitutional amendment via a referendum approved by state lawmakers.
The Alabama Attorney General’s office believes the constitutional change would be needed because of the likelihood of court challenges. Alabama is not likely to expend political capital to pass a law that the courts are likely to nullify.
A new opinion from the US Department of Justice broadens its interpretation of the Wire Act to cover internet gambling. The implications on the industry remain unclear pending a set of enforcement guidelines from the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC).
The OLC’s updated interpretation no longer believes that the Wire Act only applies to sports betting. The issue now is that there is no longer any clarity about which forms of online gaming are legal and which are not.
Sports gambling laws in Alabama
The sports gambling laws in Alabama are very strict and betting on sports has never been allowed in the state. There has been legislation introduced to legalize and regulate sports betting in Alabama in April 2019. However, any legislation of this nature remains a longshot to pass into law but the fact the issue has found its way to the statehouse is a sign there may be hope for legal sports betting sometime in the future.
More about gambling in Alabama.
Local gambling apps for:
US gambling in the city: Birmingham
Apps in States Other Than Alabama
Alabama online sports betting development
(retrospective)
Sports betting in Alabama hasn’t been an option for gamblers until very recently. However, a limited range of pari-mutuel betting at live dog tracks is available.
The options, even for pari-mutuel gamblers, are limited. And there are additional pool taxes and horse wagering fees for players which can eat into winnings.
Luckily, the Supreme Court’s new stance on sports betting in the USA has allowed Alabama to proceed with new legislation. The Supreme Court ruled against the PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) in 2018, paving the way for states to introduce sports betting bills of their own.
So far, the best hope of new Alabama sports betting legislation is Bill HB315. HB315 would see the setting up of the Alabama Sports Wagering Commission, which would be responsible for issuing seven gaming licenses to operators. Sports betting in Alabama would also be allowed by mobile phone.
Traditionally, Alabama gambling laws have been prohibitive. However, in 2019 the state legalized DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports), paving the way for major US operators like DraftKings and FanDuel to return to the market. That’s a change in stance for Alabama lawmakers, who only outlawed fantasy sports in 2016.
The success of regulated sports betting in Alabama probably depends on how successful bills are in other states. Since the Supreme Court’s ruling, around 35 states have proposed new sports gambling bills of their own.