The launch of Alabama sports betting will have to wait at least one more year.
A wide-ranging gambling bill passed the Alabama House of Representatives earlier this legislative session. However, a Senate committee made several alterations to the proposed legislation, including the complete removal of any legalized Alabama sports betting.
No Alabama sports betting in 2024
The gambling legislation, HB 151 and HB 152, would put various gambling businesses to a vote on Election Day. In addition to sports betting, the original drafts of the bills included the legalization of in-state tribal casinos, the launch of an Alabama lottery, and legalized parimutuel wagering on horse and dog racing.
Those bills, however, were significantly changed by the Alabama Senate Tourism Committee. Sports betting language was stricken from the legislation in its entirety, and the number of tribal casinos was lowered to three.
This news comes at a time where the southeastern United States is a hotbed of sports betting activity. North Carolina online sports betting launches next week, and Florida relaunched both retail and online sports betting operations late last year. Alabama’s neighbor to the east, Georgia, is currently considering sports betting legislation as well. If bills are passed, Georgia sports betting may be decided by voters this November.
What’s next for HB 151 and HB 152?
These bills will now move to the Senate floor for consideration. If passed, they’d go back to the House, whose members would approve or reject the changes made by their Senate counterparts.
The provision triggering a public referendum remained intact. For these bills to become law, Alabama voters would need to support them at the ballot box.
The bills would still expand the Alabama gambling menu and may make it easier to pass sports betting legislation down the road. However, those expecting a launch of sports betting in the Yellowhammer State in the near future will need to wait a bit longer.
