Alabama Sports Gambling Bill

Sports

The list of states that have considered or introduced sports betting bills now stands at 37 after an unlikely state — Alabama — joined the party on Tuesday.

A new bill just introduced would legalize sports gambling in the state.

The Alabama sports betting bill, at a glance

Alabama Sports Gambling Bill 2019

Alabama Sports Betting At the start of the 2019 legislative session, Alabama Rep. John Rogers (D) introduced HB 315, known as the Alabama Sports Wagering Act. The bill would allow wagering on 'certain professional or collegiate sports or athletic events' and wagers on 'any mobile application or other digital platform used to place wagers.' 21 January 2010. Governor Robert Riley's attempts to rid Alabama of gambling have hit a roadblock. A new bill heads to the house in oppostion of the Governor's stance.

Here’s a quick look at what the bill would do:

Alabama bill aims to legalise sports betting as Wyoming lawmakers vote against 2nd March 2020 11:13 am GMT Representative Mike Rogers reintroduced his sports betting bill in Alabama last week following an unsuccessful attempt to legalise the activity last year, while lawmakers in Wyoming made short of work of rejecting their state’s proposed. The state of Alabama could get yet another go at sports betting with Rep. John Rogers’ House Bill 336, pending before the House Committee on Economic Development and Tourism. Alabama’s issues with gambling Alabama is one of the most conservative states in the US in terms of gambling. While the bill doesn't actually include the word 'online' – another key factor in the recent push for legalized sports gambling – anywhere in its 43 pages, it does state, 'An operator may accept wagers from an individual physically located within this state using a mobile or other digital platform or a sports wagering device approved by the.

  • Create the Alabama Sports Wagering Commission.
  • Tax gross revenue at a rate of 10%.
  • Make seven licenses available to any facility where pari-mutuel wagering is authorized.
  • Price the application fee for a license at $100,000.
  • Allow for wagering via “mobile application or other digital platforms.”

There is time for a bill to make its way through the legislature, which is scheduled to adjourn in June.

Sports Gambling Sites

So, where would betting be authorized?

  • There is currently only one location with active racing: A greyhound track in Birmingham.
  • There are simulcast/off-track betting facilities in Eutaw, Mobile and Macon.
  • There is no mention in the bill of the tribal casinos in the state operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
  • The wording of the bill also appears to authorize mobile wagering anywhere within the state’s borders.

Appetite for Alabama sports betting?

Bill

Sports betting in the state is likely a pretty big underdog.

There has not been much of an appetite for gambling expansions in the state; in fact, efforts to create a state lottery have been turned back on multiple occasions.

While other Southern states, including neighboring Mississippi, have embraced gambling, Alabama has generally decried new forms of gaming.

Bills to legalize daily fantasy sports in the state have also run into roadblocks. In 2017, a rant from a state lawmaker on a daily fantasy sports bill shed some light on how pervasive sports gambling is, even in Alabama.

Momentum, but not momentum for sports

Sports betting legislation remains in play in many states. The interest in much of the US is not indicative of success, at least to date.

Despite all those bills, no new state has actually authorized sports betting this year. Rhode Island did decide to upgrade sports wagering to include online and mobile betting.

Currently, legal betting takes place in eight states.