Published on: February 5, 2026, 09:09h.
Updated on: February 5, 2026, 09:09h.
- New legislation proposes letting Alabama voters decide on legalizing gambling
- The proposal requires a three-fifths majority in the Alabama Legislature
- The prospects for the gaming bill are challenging
As we step into a new year, a renewed effort emerges to introduce various gambling options in Alabama. Similar to previous sessions, initiatives to legalize casinos, a lottery, sports wagering, and more face significant hurdles in the Alabama State House located in Montgomery.
Recently, state Senator Merika Coleman (D-Pleasant Grove) introduced a bill aiming to present this issue to voters. However, prior to any public voting on empowering the Alabama Legislature to approve new gambling forms, Coleman’s Senate Bill 257 must achieve a three-fifths majority in both the Senate and House.
With Republicans holding a significant 27-8 majority in the Senate and a 76-29 lead in the House, the chances for the gaming legislation appear slim. Coleman asserts that Alabama citizens deserve a voice in the matter, and government officials should not obstruct their opportunity.
“This is merely providing an opportunity for people to express their preferences. We are facing significant budget deficits, which may worsen. It’s our responsibility to seek solutions. Polling indicates that residents of my district want to vote on the possibility of gambling or a lottery. This bill facilitates that chance,” Coleman stated.
Currently, Alabama permits only charitable gaming for nonprofit and fraternal organizations, while the sole federally recognized tribe, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, runs Class I and II gaming on its lands.
Overview of the Alabama Gaming Bill
Instead of specifying a particular gambling form, Coleman’s SB257 is a more general initiative that seeks voter approval for lawmakers to decide what types of gambling could be legalized.
The current Alabama Constitution prohibits the Legislature from permitting a lottery or any form of gambling. SB257 aims to modify the state’s legal parameters to grant that authority to Legislative bodies.
Moreover, it would allow legislators to negotiate a Class III gaming compact with the Poarch Creek Indians, granting them access to Las Vegas-style slot machines and live dealer table games. Presently, the Wind Creek facilities can only offer electronic bingo-style gaming machines due to their classification as Class I and II tribal casinos.
Recent survey data indicates a majority of voters favor enabling some form of legalized gambling, be it a state-run lottery, commercial casinos, or sports betting. Support spikes to around 80% when respondents are asked if the decision should be left to the public.
Religious Resistance
As with many southern states, Alabama is part of the Bible Belt, and many Republicans in Montgomery are resistant to supporting gambling legislation. According to Pew Research, Alabama ranks as the eighth most religious state, with over half of adults stating that religion plays a “very important” role in their lives.
However, not all Republican lawmakers oppose gaming.
Last year, Alabama Senator Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) proposed a gambling bill; it was swiftly rejected, leading Albritton to express that Alabama’s gambling restrictions might persist for decades to come.