The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
The average withdrawal processing time
Is there live streaming of sporting events?
The number of sports with in-play betting available
Can you create your own personalised bets?Alabama sports betting was a hot topic in 2021 and, even though new laws weren’t passed, there’s hope things will move forward in 2023. Indeed, with forecasts suggesting that legal Alabama online gambling could generate $700 million annually, there’s a growing interest in regulation. Therefore, ahead of any forthcoming legislative changes, here’s a look at how the state's betting industry could shape up in 2023 and beyond.
| 🔍 Current AL Sports Betting Status: | Not legal |
| 📅 AL Online Sports Betting Launch: | TBD |
| 📱 Pre-Live Alabama Betting Sites Offers: | TBD |
| ➕ Sports Betting Options: | Pre-event, live bet, parlays |
| ✅ Sports Wagering to be Offered: | Mobile sports betting / online only |
| 📱 Expected Alabama Sportsbooks: | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, WynnBET |
| 🏈 Legal Alabama Sports you can bet on: | TBD |
| 🔞 Legal Betting Age in Alabama: | 19+ |
| 📃 No. of licenses to be issued: | TBD |
| ⚖️ Regulator: | TBD |
SB 319 showed promise in 2021 but failed to gain enough traction in the Senate. However, it did move the debate along, which could mean efforts to legalize sports betting in Alabama get further in 2023.
Sports betting Alabama can offer is a story of missed opportunities. As it stands, online sports betting in Alabama isn’t legal either. However, that’s not because people don’t want it. Rep. John Rogers has been pushing for regulation since 2019 but, so far, his efforts have fallen short.
The good news, however, is that support is growing. With reports suggesting the industry could be worth $700 million annually, many believe that positive changes will happen in 2023. To see why there’s a growing air of expectation, scroll down to see the recent history of sports betting in Alabama.
To know where we’re going, it’s important to know where we’ve been. With that in mind, here’s how the push to legalize sports betting in Alabama has shaped up so far.
HB 315 was the great hope for legal Alabama sports betting in 2019. The bill was sponsored by Rep. John Rogers but didn’t make it any further than an initial reading. However, even though this sports betting legislation died early, Daily Fantasy Sports was given the green light by Governor Kay Ivey.
Rep. John Rogers took up the fight once again in 2021. This time he sponsored HB 336 which pushed for regulation and sports betting tax of 10%. Like HB 315, this Alabama sports betting bill went no further than an initial reading.
2021 was the best year for those in support of legal betting sites. SB 214, introduced by Sen. Del Marsh, got the ball rolling. Although that died, it inspired Sen. Jim McClendon to submit SB 319. This AL sports betting bill also sought to legalize commercial casinos and lotteries. Although it never made it into law, it was the furthest a bill had ever gone, fuelling hopes for positive changes in 2022.
Daily Fantasy and horse racing betting are legal in Alabama - so you can use FanDuel, for example, to fantasy contests and bet on racing at online sites like TVG. Meanwhile, Alabama has three tribal casinos owned by the Poarch Creek Indians. These venues don’t offer sports betting, but you can play at the following casinos:
The likelihood is that online sports betting sites will reign supreme in Alabama. This is because, as it stands, there are no commercial casinos. As we’ve said, there are three tribal casinos. However, Alabama’s laws will probably mirror the dynamics in Tennessee. This means online sportsbooks won’t be linked to brick-and-mortar venues.
Any sports betting bill in Alabama will probably also seek to legalize casino gaming and lotteries. If so, the Governor’s Study Group on Gambling believes sports betting legislation in Alabama will create an industry worth between $510 million and $710 million annually.
This calculation is based, in part, on a previous sports betting bill that sought to tax operators at a rate of 10%. However, at this stage, nothing is confirmed. This includes the amount of tax Alabama residents will have to pay on gambling profits.
The most likely scenario is that sports betting in Alabama will be an online affair because there aren’t any commercial casinos. It may be the case, however, that the Poarch Creek Indians will also be given the right to offer legal sports betting. Therefore, Alabama will most likely offer commercial sports betting, as well as tribal sportsbooks at the following casinos:
Alabama has the potential to be a solid US sports betting state. Although it has a population of just under 5 million, it has a large network of minor league and college teams. With that being the case, we’d expect to see the following names offer their services to Alabama sports bettors.
Alabama residents will already know the name FanDuel sportsbook through its fantasy sports services. Assuming efforts to make legalize Alabama sports betting are successful, FanDuel will almost certainly enter the mix with its combination of live streams, free picking competitions, and welcome bonus worth up to $1,000.
Alabama bettors will also be familiar with DraftKings sportsbook thanks, again, to its local Daily Fantasy Sports platform. Like FanDuel, DraftKings Sportsbook offers new customers up to $1,000 in free bets, as well as a bunch of impressive features, including live bets, pool betting, and a loyalty scheme.
Caesars might be better known as a casino company but it’s now making waves on the US sports betting scene. Today, Caesars Sportsbook works in tandem with William Hill to provide a comprehensive service. From its $1,001 welcome bonus to odds boosts and live animations that show you how a game is going, Caesars is a true online sportsbook.
BetMGM sportsbook offers the most variety out of all the top-rated online sportsbooks in America. It has wagering options for 20 different sports covering US events (NBA, NFL, and college football) and some of the best odds on niche sports like handball and volleyball. Add to this a risk free bet for new customers worth $1,000 - a welcome addition to Alabama’s mobile sports betting scene.
WynnBET sportsbook could make its mark on the Alabama sports betting scene in 2023. It’s likely to be a hit with sports bettors in Alabama is its promotions. As well as the choice between two welcome bonuses, you’ll get odds boosts, risk free bets, and access to the popular Wynn Rewards loyalty scheme.
Looking forward to legalized online sports wagering in Alabama? Here’s what you could expect to see at the first from the best sports betting apps:
You’ll be able to place bets on dozens of different sports and hundreds of events every week. Indeed, the mark of a high-quality online sportsbook is the number of wagering options it offers. The best Alabama sports betting sites will cover everything from football to darts.
Alabama betting companies will try to pique your interest with generous odds. Then, once you add odds boosts to the mix, sports wagering becomes a potentially profitable endeavor with the right bookmakers.
Risk free bets, enhanced odds, cashback, and loyalty rewards should all come as standard at the leading Alabama sports betting sites.
Alabama online betting sites will offer multiple points of contact. That means you can get help and support via email, live chat, phone, and social media.
It’s no use offering great odds and promotions if people can’t find them. Therefore, you can expect any sportsbook licensed by the Alabama Gaming Commission to have secure and efficient desktop and mobile software.
All licensed mobile sports betting operators are legally required to offer safe betting payments. This means you’ll be able to make deposits and withdrawals using reputable processors such as Visa, MasterCard, and PayPal.
Some online sportsbooks, such as BetMGM and FanDuel, also offer live streams. These are free to watch and activated once you place a bet on the event in question. Sports betting sites that don’t offer live streams will have live animations. However, the ability to place live bets has become a staple at online sportsbooks today.
In-play sports wagering also opens opportunities for bets on things that could happen within specific timeframes.
Sports betting in Alabama is likely to offer a variety of options. That means you’ll need to engage your critical faculties to find the ideal sportsbook. Of course, personal preference always matters. However, there are some things you can look at when it comes to comparing legal sportsbooks in Alabama:
Sports wagering is an uncertain business. The good news is that Alabama online sportsbooks will offer a variety of promos that can keep your bankroll buoyant when things aren’t going your way.
The most likely sign-up bonuses will be free bets and risk free bets. The former will be credited to you on a bet match basis i.e. you place a bet and receive a bonus equal to the size of your wager. A risk free bet gives you money back if your opening wager loses.
Licensed Alabama sports betting sites will have a natural slant towards local events. For example, if you’re a college football fan and Alabama Crimson Tide are playing, you should check out what the state’s bookmakers are offering. They’ll also focus on major events going on elsewhere in the world, such as the NFL Super Bowl and the soccer World Cup. However, there will be plenty of odds and offers when local teams are in action.
Loyalty programs allow you to earn points each time you place bets at your chosen sportsbook. These points can be exchanged for free bets and other rewards, so you’re basically get something back for your time online.
Previous Alabama sports betting bills haven’t outlined any specific restrictions on what you can and can’t bet on. Therefore, you should be able to bet on professional and college events in the following sports:
Sports betting is popular for one reason: you can be as general or specific as you like. Depending on your preferences, you’ve got the freedom to focus on a single outcome, multiple outcomes, highly specific outcomes or general outcomes. Alabama sports betting sites will let you place bets from $0.01. You’ll also have the option to place pre-event and in-play bets, as well as singles and parlays or multi-leg bets.
Betting Options at Legal Alabama Online Sportsbooks
Yes. DFS contests are legal in Alabama and have been since 2019. This means you can join the likes of DraftKings DFS and put your picking skills to the test in free and premium contests.
Horse racing is legal in Alabama and, even though there aren’t any tracks in the state, you can use online betting sites such as TVG and TwinSpires.
We can’t talk about Alabama sports betting and not reference the state’s top teams. Even though there aren’t any pro teams in the state at the moment, there’s plenty of talent in the minor and college leagues.
Alabama Crimson Tide are one of the best college football teams in the US. Since they were founded in 1892, this team has won 16 division titles (as of 2021), produced four Heisman winners, and has a winning record that few college football teams can match.
The Auburn Tigers are a collective of teams representing Auburn University. As well as a college football program, the Tigers have teams competing in basketball, baseball, golf, swimming, athletics, equestrian, and more. Therefore, if you’re looking for sports betting opportunities in Alabama, it’s always worth looking at what the Auburn Tigers are doing.
The Barons are a Minor League Baseball team playing out of Birmingham, Alabama. As well as winning the Dixie and Southern League championships on multiple occasions, the Barons are affiliated to the Chicago White Sox.
We all want local lawmakers to legalize sports betting in Alabama as soon as possible. However, we also understand that it takes time to get things right. Therefore, we’d urge you to wait for legislation to pass and not use offshore online sportsbooks. Aside from being illegal, these sites may not provide safe and fair betting conditions. To see why you should always choose legal sports betting sites and avoid offshore sportsbooks, check out the table below.
Legal Sportsbooks Offshore Sportsbooks
Legal in Alabama Y N
Fair and Guaranteed Odds Y N
Secure software and Payments Y N
Legal Alabama sports betting sites need to know who and where you are. This is because all efforts to legalise sports betting are done on a local basis i.e. they’re intrastate laws. As such, you’ll need to be 21 or older and in Alabama to use any licensed sportsbook. With this in mind, here are the steps you’ll need to take if you want to use a mobile sports betting app in Alabama:
It’s likely that Alabama will mirror the sports betting laws in Tennessee. This is because neither state has commercial casinos. Therefore, any online sportsbook will have to operate as a lone entity or be tied to a state gaming commission. This contrasts with states such as sports betting in New Jersey which require online operators to partner with local bricks and mortar casinos.
The final thing to say about legal sports betting in Alabama is that all licensed operators will have your well-being in mind. Put simply, they’re legally and morally obliged to make sure you’re not spending more than you can afford. Naturally, they can’t control what you do.
However, they do provide links to contact numbers of problem gambling charities. Moreover, legit AL sports betting sites will also offer onsite responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits, reality checks, and timeouts.
No, not right now but previous sports betting bills have received support from Alabama lawmakers, which could mean legislation passes in 2022.
No. However, when efforts to legalize sports betting in Alabama are successful, the industry will be led by online operators.
No, but you can bet on horse racing at TVG and TwinSpires horse betting.
Not at the moment, but any sports betting legislation will have provisions for desktop and mobile apps.
FanDuel currently offers DFS contests in Alabama but not sports betting. However, this could change in the near future.
DraftKings is available in Alabama as a fantasy sports site. However, it doesn't offer sports betting in AL at the moment.
An Alabama Gaming Commission will almost certainly be set up in order to regulate the industry.
The legal gambling age in Alabama is 19, but this may change if local sports betting laws match those in other states. In that case, it will be 21.
There aren't any commercial casinos in Alabama but there are three tribal gaming venues: Wind Creek Casino and Hotel Wetumpka, Wind Creek Casino and Hotel Atmore, and Wind Creek Casino and Hotel Montgomery.
Yes. Both DraftKings and Fanduel offer DFS contests in Alabama.
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