Gambling Bill Dead in Alabama, Future Appears Grim

The latest Alabama gambling bill has been shot down, and the sponsor of the bill, Republican Sen. Greg Albritton, has declared the possibility of it coming to the state dead for at least two decades. 

“We’ve been struggling with this for 25-26 years already … I don’t see anything changing,” he said. 

He further expressed his disappointment that Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Grudger said that this issue wasn’t going anywhere this spring. 

“We’ve tried everything we can on this bill over the years,” Albritton said. “One thing has been proven is that it doesn’t matter what the bills says, period. If the word ‘gaming’ or ‘gambling’ shows up on the page, it’s a ‘no’ vote.”

This comes after Virginia iGaming legislation was deemed dead earlier this year. 

More About the Bill

Albritton’s bill had 141 pages and featured a state lottery, electronic gambling at six locations, sports betting, and a negotiated deal or revenue-sharing between the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to have casinos with table games at three bingo halls throughout the state. 

With only 12 days left in the session, Alabama State House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said there were more pressing issues than gambling. 

Albritton’s latest try for gambling and a lottery came roughly one year after the Senate shot down a gambling and lottery plan by just one vote. It was approved out of the House. 

Albritton said his bill would’ve gotten two positive votes after a deal on the legislation was struck last Thursday, but after Grudger’s remarks, it was dead. 

Senators Speak Out on the Bill

“If the bill is right, I don’t mind (legalizing gambling and lottery),” said Sen. Jack Williams. He wasn’t in Montgomery on Thursday because his wife was in for surgery. 

“...They dusted a vote count when I was gone. But I am sure he did a vote count of the senators and did not have enough to pass it yet,” Williams added. 

“It indicated there was no way to make up any ground,” Sen. Chris Elliott said. “This thing was going to linger and take up time and energy and not get to a positive outcome and solution. If it’s going to die, put it out of its misery. It was a smart move for the caucus … for everyone.”

Polling Shows Support

A poll by KAConsulting, LLC., headed by Kellyanne Conway, in November 2023 showed 80% support for a lottery and 64% for casinos. The poll’s respondents featured 60% of people who identified as Republican. 

Alabama is one of five states with no lottery. That said, sweepstakes casinos are available and not banned. 

Political consultants say this will be a big part of the 2026 elections.