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As you may already know, Alabama isn’t the friendliest state when it comes to both offline and online gambling. As a matter of fact, the state authorities strictly forbid any kind of gambling with a few exceptions of video bingo and greyhound and horse betting. 

Therefore, if you want to play at the real money online casino, you’ll have to visit the neighboring Mississippi, for example. With that in mind, let’s have a closer look at the state of gambling laws in Alabama.

What form of gambling is legal in Alabama

As mentioned before, Alabama strictly forbids any type of gambling activity. In fact, Alabama gambling laws state that “gambling is defined as staking or risking something of value on the outcome of a game of chance or future event”. 

 

Therefore, anyone who wishes to profit from any unlawful gambling activities faces class C misdemeanor punishable by up to three months in jail and a $500 fine. The only type of gambling allowed in Alabama is pari-mutuel wagering and electronic bingo machines alongside daily fantasy sports and horse races betting.   

Why is gambling prohibited in Alabama?

Alabama is an old-fashioned country that stands by its principles.

 

That being said, The Alabama Code Title 13A covers most gambling-related matters, such as Chapter 12: Offenses Against Public Health & Morals, Article 2: Gambling Offenses and Title 11, Chapter 65: Horse Racing & Greyhound Racing in Class 1 Municipalities. 

 

However, social games conducted on private property are an exception to the statute. Alabama is very firm when it comes to games of chance that the state doesn’t even support the lottery. This is all clearly defined in Alabama’s Constitution.

Are there any casinos in Alabama? 

Actually there are land-based casinos in Alabama. The three casinos can be found in Atmore, Wetumpka, and Montgomery and are operated by Poarch Band of Creek Indians. 

 

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 allows them to take advantage of electronic bingo regulations to operate legally within the state of Alabama. Two more casinos have opened up recently, the Greenetrack Racino, and Quincy’s 777 Casino at Victoryland but all five establishments are restricted to Class II games. 

 

Even though The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 has been declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court, the efforts to legalize sports betting and gambling in Alabama have been unsuccessful so far. It remains to be seen if the laws regarding gambling in Alabama will change in the future.

 

Closing Words

Alabama prohibits any forms of gambling with only a few exceptions. Even if you decide to gamble offshore, you may still face a misdemeanor charge.