Alabama state senator readying sports betting, lottery bill
Alabama State Senator Greg Albritton has prepared a gambling bill for Alabama to legalize online sports betting, lottery ticket sales and Class II electronic gambling at racetracks across the state.
The second half of the legislative session starts today, marking the first of 14 legislative sessions where the senator can introduce the bill.
As reported by Alabama Daily News, the bill proposes the establishment of the Alabama Gaming Commission and within it a Gaming Enforcement Division to regulate and police newly introduced gambling activities. These activities include sports betting at retail sportsbooks at licensed gaming locations or through branded websites or mobile apps.
The bill proposes a 24% tax rate on net revenues from sports betting and games of chance like the Class II games it proposes adding to six racetracks across the state and three Poarch Creek properties.
Albritton’s proposal also would create a state lottery and the Alabama Lottery Corporation to oversee it.
Voters would have to approve any successful legislation. A special election would take place in September, setting up for a launch in 2026.
“If we don’t get this done this year, I think we’re going to lose the opportunity of gaining control of this industry in Alabama,” Albritton told CBS42. ” It’ll be running all over the place and growing like crazy because we have no controls.”
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