Alabama Casinos
Alabama gambling was one of the first to appear among the states in the south. There are currently only three Alabama casinos that operate today. It started with the formation of the Alabama Racing Commission in 1971. Regulations set forth by the commission permitted municipalities with 300,000 or more residents to hold referendums to determine whether racing should be allowed within the county or city. This law applies to greyhounds and horses. There are currently two greyhound tracks in operation. Off-track betting is also permitted.
Bingo is legal if the proceeds go towards charity. It must also be approved through a local referendum. The emergence of auto-daubing brought a new bingo element to Alabama. Slot machines that used bingo algorithms started appearing in the late 1990s.
| Alabama Casinos & Gambling | |
|---|---|
| Alabama Legal Gambling Age | 18-21* |
| Number of Casinos | 3 |
| Estimated Casino Revenue | Unknown |
| Smoking ban | No ban |
| Can You Gamble Online in Alabama? | Yes |
| Alabama Online Gambling | Racing Only |
| *Only people 21 or older can enter casinos where alcohol is served. | |
Alabama is one of just six states without a state lottery. Those looking to buy lotto tickets for interstate drawings may go to Georgia, Tennessee, or Florida to do so.
Paying Gambling Taxes in Alabama
Is your gambling income taxable? OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos has gathered everything you need to know about paying taxes on your gambling winnings straight from a Certified Public Accountant. For more information, please visit our exclusive Gambling Taxes article.
Types of Alabama Online Gambling Allowed
The only form of online gambling legal in Alabama is off-track betting. This includes greyhounds and horses. The state permits skill games to be played for money. Daily fantasy sports sites that include DraftKings and FanDuel feel that their product falls under these laws. Alabama lawmakers and the state attorney general have yet to issue any opinion to the contrary.
Types of Live Alabama Gambling
There are three forms of live legalized gambling in Alabama.
Greyhound Racing
The oldest is greyhound racing. It dates back to 1973, when the first race with pari-mutuel betting was at the Mobile Greyhound Park. There were four greyhound tracks in Alabama at one time. Only two operate today. Those tracks are the Mobile Greyhound Park and Birmingham Race Track.
Horseracing
Horseracing is also legal in Alabama. The Birmingham Race Track operated horse racing from 1984 to 1992. The track ran into financial difficulties and ended horseracing. No track has offered thoroughbred betting since then.
Video Bingo
Video bingo found a way through a back door in the early 2000s. The operators cited the legalization of auto-daubing, meaning a machine can cover the numbers called. This translation permitted video bingo displayed in a slot format, the operators thought. Alabama state law enforcement raided VictoryLand in Shorter and other facilities after threatening to shut the businesses down.
All tracks ceased video bingo operations in the state. Three reservations launched video bingo while the state raided the tracks. Creek Casino Montgomery, Wind Creek Casino Wetumpka, and Wind Creek Casino Atmore continue offering these games under the same premise the tracks did. No gaming pact has been created. Despite only offering video bingo and slot machines, they still refer to themselves as Alabama casinos.
Alabama Gambling Laws
Alabama gambling laws are specific to the betting options offered. Racing is permitted in cities with a population of at least 300,000 people. Local voters must approve the measure. Betting is allowed on greyhounds and horses. Wagers can be made on live races, off-track betting facilities, and over the Internet.
Bingo is legal in Alabama. Proceeds must go to charities. Gaming operators assert that video bingo is legal in Alabama. These machines mimic slots but display symbols based on a bingo drawing. The state’s attorney general disagrees. The Alabama Supreme Court is hearing the case.
The state’s tribes feel that video bingo is legal in Alabama. Three Tribal Alabama casinos operate the devices.
The state does not receive any benefit from gambling. The only taxes from racing fund the commission that regulates it. Bingo profits benefit charities. The reservations do not have a gaming pact with the state.
The minimum Alabama gambling age is 19 years old for all forms of gambling.
List of Alabama Casinos
Creek Casino Montgomery, Wind Creek Casino Wetumpka, and Wind Creek Casino Atmore are the three Alabama casinos in the state. Mobile Greyhound Park and Birmingham Race Track offer live and simulcast racing. VictoryLand offers off-track betting but no live races. Charities throughout the state offer live bingo sessions. You can find the casinos, locations, and websites and use our Alabama casinos map for more detailed information.
Alabama Casinos and Locations
| Casino | Size | Address | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wind Creek Casino Atmore | 1,600 Slot Machines | 303 Poarch Road | www.windcreekatmore.com |
| Wind Creek Casino Montgomery | 2,100 Slot Machines | 1801 Eddie Tullis Drive | www.windcreekmontgomery.com |
| Wind Creek Casino Wetumpka | 2,500 Slot Machines | 100 River Oaks Drive | www.windcreekwetumpka.com |
Alabama Casinos Map & Guide
- Creek Casino Montgomery
- Wind Creek Casino Wetumpka
- Wind Creek Casino Atmore
- 3
- 0
- 0
History of Alabama Gambling
| Alabama Regulated Gambling | |
|---|---|
| Greyhound Racing | 1973 |
| Bingo | 1993 |
| Video Bingo | 2003 |
Bingo also requires a local referendum, as required by the state’s charitable gaming law passed in 1993. More than half of the counties in Alabama have approved charitable bingo.
There is no law that governs the use of video bingo machines by Tribal Alabama casinos. This is a grey area in the gambling laws of Alabama.
Alabama Casinos & Gambling FAQ
When did greyhound racing become legal in Alabama?
The Alabama Racing Commission was organized in 1971. The first race under its regulations was held in 1973.
When did bingo become legal in Alabama?
1993, but it requires a local referendum.
Is horseracing legal in Alabama?
Yes, but no tracks operate today.
Is greyhound racing legal in Alabama?
Yes. Two tracks still operate today.
What two greyhound tracks are still open in Alabama?
Montgomery Greyhound Park and Birmingham Race Track still hold live greyhound races.
Is off-track betting legal in Alabama?
Yes. Simulcast betting on horses and dogs are legal.
Is mobile and internet betting on racing legal in Alabama?
Yes.
What companies accept online horse betting in Alabama?
TVG, BetAmerica and TwinSpires are among the companies that accept wagers from Alabamans.
Is video bingo legal in Alabama?
There is still a legal fight to determine that answer. Video bingo is currently spread at the state’s three tribal casinos.
Is VictoryLand open?
It is currently open for simulcast betting on dogs and horses Wednesday through Monday. Its Quincy’s 777 Casino is closed pending a ruling from the Alabama Supreme Court. VictoryLand no longer offers live races.
Why can reservations operate video bingo?
Alabama tribes believe that video bingo is legal in the state. Attorney General Luther Strange attempted to shut the gaming on reservations down but his actions were rejected by federal courts and the U.S. Department of the Interior. No gaming pact has been created between with the governor.
What is the minimum gambling age in Alabama?
The minimum Alabama gambling age is 19 years old for all forms of betting.
