Alabama Sports Betting 2024: When Will Alabama Sportsbooks Launch?

Can You Sports Bet in Alabama?

No, you cannot bet on sports in Alabama. Under the Constitution of Alabama, no forms of sports wagering are permitted, except on horse racing. 

The latest legislative attempt to legalize sports betting in Alabama calls for a constitutional amendment.

Where Can I Bet on Sports in Alabama?

There is nowhere in Alabama where you can bet on sports. 

HB 151 would allow for the state to negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to establish a casino in northeast Alabama and regulate their existing casinos in Atmore, Montgomery and Wetumpka. It's possible that sports betting would be allowed at these land-based casinos.

Do I Need to be a Alabama Resident to Bet Online?

No, you will not need to be an Alabama resident to bet online. You'll only need to be physically located within state lines in order to bet.

Alabama sports betting sites will use geolocation tools to confirm you're in licensed sports betting territory.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Alabama?

No, online sports betting is not yet legal in Alabama. 

What Sportsbooks are in Alabama?

There are currently no Alabama sportsbooks. 

Whenever Alabama sports betting does go live, however, you can expect sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, ESPN BET, Fanatics, bet365, BetRivers, Betway, and Hard Rock Bet to become available.

When Will Alabama Sportsbooks Launch?

We don't know when Alabama sportsbooks will launch. Given that current legislation would ask voters to decide on a constitutional amendment to allow sports betting, the very earliest sportsbooks could launch could be late 2024. More realistically, Alabama sportsbooks would launch in early 2025 if the amendment is approved.

How Many Sportsbooks are There in Alabama?

There are zero sportsbooks in Alabama. Hope remains strong that Alabama will allow sports betting in late 2024 or early 2025.

Sportsbooks Partnered with Alabama Sports Teams

As of now, HB 151 does not provide for sports betting licenses for pro teams.

In some states with legal sports betting, pro teams and leagues can partner with sportsbooks, though that doesn't appear to be the case in Alabama. In any case, there are no Alabama-based professional sports teams in the Big Four sports leagues.

Best Alabama Sportsbooks Expected to Launch

If and when Alabama sports betting becomes legal, the state will probably become home to many of the nation’s leading online gambling brands. These are top-quality operators that have extensive experience, with many of them licensed to run a legal sports betting site in more than 20 states.

Best Overall Alabama Sportsbook

In a new era of online betting, Alabama sports bettors will be able to visit some outstanding online sportsbooks—none better than BetMGM Alabama. 

It’s part of the MGM empire, a famous brand recognized for its work in the casino world, and increasingly for the excellence of its sports betting product. Expect to find an extensive list of college and professional sports, a broad range of ways to place sports bets, frequent promotions, and a top-class user interface.

Most Popular Alabama Sportsbook

Thanks to its status as a leading provider of Daily Fantasy Sports games, DraftKings Alabama will likely have a head start when it comes to AL online sports betting, Many people will be familiar with this brand through its DFS work, which will help when Alabama online sports betting goes live. 

DraftKings backs up its fantasy offering with a seriously impressive online sportsbook that is at or near the top of the charts for handle and revenue in numerous states.

Most Downloaded Alabama Sportsbook

As shown by its dominance in the online sports betting space, FanDuel Alabama prides itself on being at the cutting edge of innovation. Like DraftKings, it has a head-start here thanks to its Daily Fantasy Sports work, but its online sportsbook is spectacularly good. 

It complements its online work with one of the best mobile sports betting apps, which has been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times across the many states where it is available.

Best Alabama Sportsbook for Live Betting

Caesars Sportsbook Alabama has made serious inroads in the world of online sports betting. 

Alabama residents can look forward to plenty of sports to bet on, a steady stream of bonuses, and the chance to enjoy a great in-play betting experience. Every top online sportsbook gives you the opportunity to place live bets, and Caesars’ service in this area is second to none.

Best Alabama Sportsbook for International Betting

A UK-based brand, bet365 Alabama has the best selection of European and international betting markets. Fans of European soccer leagues, tennis, rugby and other popular sports outside the U.S. will love bet365's bet selections and early cashout offers.

Great Alabama Sportsbook for Beginners

If you're looking for an easy-to-use, no-frills sportsbook, Betway Alabama could be the perfect choice for you. While most Alabama sportsbooks are simple to pick up and learn if you're new to sports betting, Betway is a solid option for beginners.

It doesn't overwhelm you with too many options or advanced betting stratgies, so you can test out your favorite markets and methods for yourself.

Best Alabama Sportsbook for Casino Gaming

It appears that sports betting and casino gaming are poised to become legal at the same time in Alabama. If online casino gaming is approved, Hard Rock Bet Alabama will already be well-positioned to offer a great experience for both sports betting and casino.

The betting site and app recently underwent a redesign, which has gotten rave reviews from users in other states for its easy navigation between both types of gambling.

Easy-to-Use Alabama Sportsbook

While all Alabama sportsbooks we recommend are known for their user experience, BetRivers Alabama combines all the best sportsbook features into one simple hub. Its top navigation and side menu display the most timely, popular leagues so you can access them easily. You'll find quick same-game parlays pre-packaged from the homepage, as well as live matches.

Most Unique Alabama Sportsbook

An extension of the brand's online retail arm, Fanatics Sportsbook Alabama will be unlike any other betting option in the state. You earn FanCash rewards for every bet you place, which can be used towards Fanatics retail purchases or sportsbook bonus bets. 

This unique rewards program can give you a boost across many different channels.

How Alabama Sports Betting Compares to Legal States

Alabama is one a handful of southern states with no sports betting allowed. However, that number is dwindling. Alabama is now surrounded by states with legal sports betting in some form: Tennessee (online), Mississippi (retail), Florida (online), North Carolina (online & retail).

Alabama is also one of several states with a constitution that specifically bans lottery and gambling, which means it would require a constitutional amendment to allow for sports betting.

Alabama has a population of a little more than 5 million, which makes it the 24th most populated state. 

We can get a good idea of what Alabama sports betting would produce by looking at Colorado with a population of 5.9M and also legalized sports betting in 2019 via a ballot measure. Colorado reported over $716.4M in total wagers and nearly $3.9M in tax revenue in Dec. 2023.

Kentucky (population of about 4.5M) is another southern state similar to Alabama that just legalized online and retail sports betting in 2023. Kentucky reported $340.8M in wagers and $7.9M in tax revenue in Dec. 2023. 

Alabama Sports Betting Legislation Timeline

There were hopes in 2022 that legalized Alabama sports betting might become a reality after bills were introduced in both chambers of the state legislature. However, those proposals made limited progress. 

Despite the continued support of some senior lawmakers in the state, the 2023 legislative session ended without any new bill proposals to legalize sports betting.

• 📆 April 6, 2022: Senate Bills 293 and 294 are indefinitely postponed, effectively ending any hope for legal sports betting this year.
• 📆 March 9, 2022: Senate Bills 293 and 294 get second readings in the Senate.
• 📆 March 3, 2022: SB 293 and SB 294—which would legalize and provide licenses for sports betting, casino gaming, lottery, bingo and raffles via a constitutional amendment—are introduced in the Senate.
• 📆 Feb. 24, 2022: Rep. John Rogers introduces HB 405 to allow sports betting only in Jefferson County, but it doesn't pass a first reading.
• 📆 Jan. 11, 2022: Rep. Ralph Howard (D) introduces HB 72 to establish a state lottery through a constitutional amendment, but it dies in committee.
• 📆 May 17, 2021: The 2021 legislative session ends without a House vote on SB 319.
• 📆 April 15, 2021: The Alabama Senate approves SB 319, which would legalize sports betting, by a 32-9 vote.
• 📆 March 9, 2021: SB 319 and SB 310—which would legalize and provide licensing for sports betting and online casino gaming—are introduced in the Senate.
• 📆 Feb. 27, 2020: HB 336, which would have allowed online betting in AL as well as in-person sports wagering, fails to make it out of committee.
• 📆 April 2, 2019: House Bill 315, which would legalize Alabama online sports betting, fails to progress.
• 📆 May 18, 2018: The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which had prohibited states from offering sports betting.

Who Regulates Alabama Sports Gambling?

There is currently no Alabama sports gambling regulatory body because sports betting isn't legal yet.

The latest legislation under review would establish the Alabama Gaming Commission to oversee licensing and taxation in the state. It would also create a Gaming Enforcement Division within the commission to police gaming practices.

Alabama Sports Betting Licenses

The latest Alabama sports betting bills under consideration don't specify how many sportsbook licenses would be allowed. However, HB 152 does provide for seven casino licenses.

Licensees would be subject to a 24% tax on casino revenue and a 17% tax on sports betting revenue.

Alabama Sports Betting Revenue Projections November 2024

Rep. Chris Blackshear, who is sponsoring House Bill 151, estimates between $935.6M and $1.214B in revenue generated from legalizing casino and sports betting. Between $15M-$42.5M of that would come from sports betting.

House Bills 151 and 152 would establish two trust funds for the proceeds from legal gambling: the Lottery for Education Fund and the Gaming Trust Fund. These funds would be earmarked for post-secondary scholarships, mental health resources and a rural health care program.

How Experts Rank the Best Alabama Online Sportsbooks

There are several factors you can apply when you want to narrow down your search for the ideal online sportsbook for you. This is what our BetAlabama.com experts consider when rating sportsbooks:

• Read Reviews Online Alabama sports betting operators will have plenty of experience in other states. That means you should find a host of reviews from customers there. Go online, do your research, and find trends in user feedback.
• What Bets are Allowed? There can be significant variations in markets offered between sportsbooks. It's important to compare the odds, types of bets and sports options across Alabama sportsbooks.
• Competitive Odds Experienced bettors find the best odds available on particular markets. By hunting around, you can find the most profitable odds. Over time, you can figure out which sportsbooks offer the best odds for you in Alabama.
• Welcome Bonus Whenever Alabama sports betting launches, you'll see tons of welcome offers aimed at new bettors. You should expect to receive a bonus when you register for the first time. This might be in the form of bonus bets, a bet-and-get offer, or a deposit match—compare welcome offers at multiple Alabama sportsbooks to find your favorites.
• User Experience This is an incredibly important consideration. Look for a sportsbook with a great design, easy navigation and an instant response when you click on your chosen bet—especially when betting on mobile.
• Banking All leading Alabama sportsbooks should offer you plenty of options for deposits and withdrawals. Check carefully to see that your preferred banking methods are available at the sportsbooks you want to use.
• Customer Service Alabama bettors should have plenty of ways of contacting customer support. Look for 24/7 live chat, toll-free telephone number, email, and social media accounts to get in touch.

Why Sign Up For Multiple Alabama Sports Betting Sites?

You can open as many accounts as you like, and I encourage you to do so! It will enable you to compare the various Alabama sportsbooks, so you can be sure you’re getting the most competitive odds, and you can take advantage of several great welcome bonuses.

Promotions for Alabama Sportsbooks

I can say with certainty, there will be some exciting Alabama sports betting promotions to enjoy whenever betting sites launch, including welcome bonuses when you first sign up and regular ongoing promos for existing users. 

The best Alabama sportsbooks will have great offers for both.

Retail Sports Betting vs. Mobile Sports Betting in Alabama

We don't know exactly what retail sports betting could look like in Alabama. It's possible that tribal casinos and commercial casinos could be licensed to host retail sportsbooks on site.

Signing up for multiple sportsbooks allows you to unlock the full potential of your sports betting account in person (if and when retail launches) and online. You'll be able to earn rewards with retail and mobile betting. As you become a more frequent bettor, you'll also likely be able to cash in credits for perks and rewards while on site.

Plus, there will be staff on hand to take your bets and give you any assistance required, and you should be able to wager in cash and enjoy an instant payout.

Then you can keep the good times rolling with mobile Alabama betting apps once you leave the retail sportsbook.

How to Bet on Sports in Alabama: Available Wagers at Legal Sports Betting Sites

You cannot, as the law currently stands, bet on sports online or in person in Alabama. But, when the time comes to enjoy online sports betting, Alabama customers should be able to place the following types of wagers:

• Moneylines This is the easiest way to bet—no props, no handicap; just the chance to bet on the team you think will win a game.
• Parlays Combine several selections with a single bet, and watch the potential payout increase. But if just one leg loses, you'll lose the whole bet.
• Over/Under Totals Decide if the combined score of both teams will be over or under the number projected by the sportsbook, and bet your money accordingly.
• Point Spreads Sportsbooks levels up the odds by giving the underdog a start; will the favorite win by more than that and cover the spread? That's what you're betting on.
• Futures Look past today, and wager on a long-term outcome, like a division winner, Super Bowl champion, National Championship winner, and more. You can make your bets months in advance.
• Prop Bets There are so many ways you can bet online on individual outcomes within a game that have nothing to do with who wins. These are called prop bets. Check out the lists of individual and team markets.
• Live Betting You can wager on a host of events once they are under way. The odds fluctuate in response to the live action, and you can place bets while the game is still going on.
• Prohibited Bets There are some wagers you are not allowed to place. For instance, no legal sportsbooks in the U.S. will allow you to bet on the outcome of political elections.

Alabama Sports to Bet On

Despite having no Big Four pro league teams, Alabama loves sports. We can be sure that Alabama bettors will flock to the following:

• NFL There is no pro NFL team in Alabama, but football is the most popular sport in the U.S. There are several teams in neighboring states that draw plenty of support from Alabamans, including the Atlanta Falcons, the New Orleans Saints, the Tennessee Titans, and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
• NBA There’s no NBA team in Alabama, but there are a couple close by, including the Atlanta Hawks, the New Orleans Pelicans, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Orlando Magic. The Pelicans' G-League team, the Birmingham Squadron, are based in Alabama.
• MLB There's an argument to be made that MLB baseball is still America's Favorite Pastime. There’s no pro team in Alabama, though the Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays are nearby, but there are some solid minor league teams.
• NHL Hockey is another sport that enjoys a genuinely national profile these days. Alabama players will have plenty of opportunities to wager on the NHL online, through the regular season and all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals.
• College Sports In some states, college sports betting is restricted; that's not expected to be the case in Alabama. The state is home to two of the biggest names in college football, which attract enormous crowds and capture some of the most passionate fans in the country.

Alabama Teams to Bet On

There are several teams that will attract interest among bettors when sports betting in Alabama gets under way. While pro leagues will still be massively popular, college sports will more than likely generate the most betting interest in Alabama.

• Alabama Crimson Tide Few college football teams can match the Alabama Crimson Tide. The team have won 34 conference titles and claimed 18 national titles (6 since 2009). Game attendance averages just under 100,000. The University of Alabama has several other top teams in its program, notably in men’s basketball.
• Auburn Tigers The Auburn Tigers have won 16 conference titles and 5 national titles (most recently in 2010). They regularly pull in crowds of 85,000, especially for their intense in-state rivalry with Alabama in the Iron Bowl.
• Birmingham Legion FC The Legion are the only pro soccer team in the state, and they play in the United Soccer League. Crowds have been rising steadily since they first took the field in 2019. The universal popularity of soccer around the world means there are always numerous games to wager on.
• Birmingham Stallions The Stallions are Alabama's United Football League team. Birmingham formerly played in the United States Football League before it merged with the XFL to create the UFL. It remains to be seen what this football league (and betting on it) will look like.

What Forms of Alabama Gambling are Legal?

The short answer: not many. Alabama is a state with an extremely limited range of legal gambling options. This is one of only five states in the union that still does not have a state lottery, for instance. 

The only activities available are:

• Daily Fantasy Sports Daily Fantasy Sports were legalized in Alabama in 2019. That means leading operators such as FanDuel and DraftKings have been able to offer games here since. You will need to be 19 or older to play DFS games in Alabama.
• Horse Racing It is legal to host meetings in Alabama, but there are no tracks currently doing so. Fans of the sport can wager on events out of state using Alabama sports betting sites such as FanDuel TV, BetAmerica, and TwinSpires.
• Casinos There are three tribal casinos in Alabama, all of them operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. They offer a wide range of electronic gaming machines, but no live table games. Online casino games are unavailable in Alabama.
• Bingo Bingo is a game at the heart of considerable controversy in Alabama. There are several bingo halls in operation across the state, but some lawmakers claim they represent a “clear violation” of the law, because any gambling not conducted on tribal lands is illegal. The state gets no revenue from the halls, which operate under the banner of charity bingo – several were raided and closed down in Jefferson County in April 2023.