Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Alabama?

The Current Status of Online Sports Betting in Alabama

As of 2025, Alabama has not passed a law to legalize retail or online sports betting. Bills have been introduced, like HB 151 and HB 152 in 2024, but they failed in the Senate.

That means no DraftKings, no FanDuel Sportsbook, and no Caesars apps — at least not yet. For now, the only betting platforms you’ll see are fantasy sports and racebooks.

It’s worth noting that Alabama requires a constitutional amendment for gambling expansion. That means any effort to make sports betting legal will need voter approval.

Read more: Looking for the ultimate guide to NFL betting this season? We've got you covered right here!

What You Can Bet on Today

Even though online sports betting Alabama isn’t live, you can still place legal wagers in a few ways.

• Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS): Platforms like PrizePicks, Underdog Fantasy, and DraftKings DFS are licensed in Alabama. Contest entry fees are legal, and you can build lineups for NFL betting or NBA games.
  
  
• Horse Racing: While live tracks have shut down, online racebooks like TwinSpires and Xpressbet accept wagers from Alabama players. You can bet on major races like the Kentucky Derby.
  
  
• Sweepstakes Casinos: These operate under a different legal structure. Instead of direct wagers, you use virtual coins that can sometimes be redeemed for cash prizes.
  
  

Example: If you want action on NFL betting today, you can legally join a DFS contest. Pick players like Jalen Hurts or Derrick Henry, enter a lineup, and if your squad scores the most points, you win real cash.

How Does Alabama Compare to Other States?

Online sports betting USA laws vary widely. Over 30 states now have some form of legal betting, either online or in person. Sports gambling legal states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio bring in billions of dollars in tax revenue each year.

Alabama is one of the few holdouts in the South. Nearby Tennessee has legal mobile betting. Louisiana and Mississippi allow it too, though Mississippi limits online access to casino property.

That regional pressure matters. When fans can drive across the border and place bets on online sports betting apps, it increases the push for lawmakers to act.

Why Sports Betting Isn’t Legal Yet

Alabama politics move slow when it comes to gambling. Religious opposition is strong, and lawmakers argue over details like lottery funding, casino locations, and sports betting legal frameworks.

The 2024 effort showed how divided the legislature can be. The House approved a wide plan with casinos and sportsbooks. The Senate stripped most of it away.

Revenue projections are also modest. A state study in 2020 estimated sports betting might bring in just $6 million per year. That’s a fraction of what a lottery or casinos could deliver.

Still, with more sports gambling legal states surrounding Alabama, lawmakers are expected to try again.

What to Expect If Sports Betting Becomes Legal

If online sports betting Alabama becomes a reality, here’s what fans can expect:

• Online sportsbooks: National brands like BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel would launch.
  
  
• Retail sportsbooks: Likely at Poarch Creek Indian casinos or new licensed venues.
  
  
• Age restrictions: 21 and up, verified by ID and geolocation.
  
  
• Taxes: Players may pay state tax on winnings, plus a federal tax of 24% for payouts over $5,000.
  
  
• Responsible gambling tools: Self-exclusion, deposit limits, and time-out options would be required.

Online Sports Betting How To: What the Process Looks Like

Once legal, online sports betting apps would be simple to use. Here’s a likely step-by-step:

1. Download an app like DraftKings or FanDuel.
   
   
2. Sign up, verify your identity, and allow geolocation.
   
   
3. Deposit money via card, PayPal, or bank transfer.
   
   
4. Choose your bets: NFL betting lines, NBA spreads, MLB totals, and more.
   
   
5. Place your wager and track results live.
   
   
6. Withdraw winnings directly to your account.
   
   

This model is already in place across other sports betting legal online states.

The Role of Online Sports Betting Apps

Apps are the driver of today’s market. In New Jersey and New York, over 90% of bets come from mobile devices. Fans love the speed, the promos, and the ability to parlay multiple games from the couch.

In Alabama, apps would bring the same benefits. Parlays, live betting, and odds boosts would all be part of the game. Online sports betting legal access would make wagering faster and easier than ever.

The Outlook for Online Sports Betting Alabama

The bottom line is this: online sports betting Alabama isn’t legal yet, but the pressure is rising. Every year, more sports gambling legal states launch new markets.

Alabama lawmakers will likely take another swing at a comprehensive gambling bill in 2025. Whether that includes sportsbooks depends on voter appetite and political compromise.

Until then, Alabama bettors can stick to DFS, horse racing, and sweepstakes casinos. These options offer a taste of the action while the state debates full legalization.

FAQs

Is sports betting legal in Alabama?
Not yet. DFS and horse racing are allowed, but no sportsbooks are live.

When will sports betting be legal online in Alabama?
The next attempt could come in 2025, but it requires both legislative approval and a statewide vote.

Can I use online sports betting apps in Alabama?
Not for sportsbooks. Only fantasy and racebook apps are available right now.

Which sports gambling legal states are near Alabama?
Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi all offer some form of betting.

The Final Whistle

Online sports betting Alabama isn’t live yet, but the conversation isn’t going away. Fans want NFL betting lines, March Madness action, and college football odds at their fingertips.

For now, stick with fantasy sports and racing apps while lawmakers figure it out.

Check out our full betting toolset to start spotting profitable lines.