Alabama, nicknamed the Yellowhammer and Cotton State, enforces strict gambling laws and has no state lottery. It’s one of six states without a national lottery and only permits bingo for charitable events. However, players can legally buy lottery tickets by visiting Georgia, Tennessee, or Florida. However, many players have enjoyed online gaming for quite a while thanks to a number of offshore casino sites that exist outside of Alabama’s borders. For land-based options, the closest casinos are in Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida.
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Best Alabama Online Casinos
List of Alabama Casinos
There are only three fully operational casinos in Alabama today. We’ve listed the names of these casinos, their locations, and a rough estimate of the number of gaming machines available on the property.
| Casino | Location | Machine Capacity |
| Wind Creek Wetumpka | Wetumpka | 2,520 |
| Wind Creek Atmore | Atmore | 2,500 |
| Centre Stage Alabama | Cottonwood | 600 |
| Wind Creek Montgomery | Montgomery | 2,220 |
Wind Creek Atmore is 57,000 square-foot building that houses over 1,600 games. Here are some of the titles in its collection:
- Triple Stars
- Wild Wild Gems
- Egyptian Goddess
- Wild and Free
- Double Diamond Strike
- Triple Red Hot 7’s
Wind Creek Wetumpka measures slightly bigger at 80,000 square feet and has over 2,500 games open to players. Some of the games on offer include:
- Money in the Bank
- Quick Hit
- So Hot
- Star of Phoenix
The next casino, Wind Creek Montgomery, has a 65,000 square-foot gaming floor and currently has 2,200 game titles available. Some of these games include:
- Conga Party
- Geckos Gone Wild
- Monkey in the Bank
- Quick Hit
- So Hot
Alabama Gambling Laws
Alabama gambling laws vary based on gaming types, with race betting and bingo games being key examples.
Racing is legal in cities with at least 300,000 residents. However, sports betting in Alabama is limited to horse and greyhound racing. Bettors can place wagers at live events, off-track betting locations, and online.
Bingo games are legal, but all proceeds must go to charity. Video bingo, which operates like slot machines but uses bingo draws instead of reels, remains in a legal gray area but is widely accepted. Three tribal casinos in Alabama offer these games.
The state does not collect gambling tax revenue, except for racing, which funds regulatory commissions. Bingo profits are allocated to designated charities.
The minimum gambling age in Alabama is 19, unlike the standard 18 years in most casinos worldwide. While gaming laws remain restrictive, interest in Alabama online gambling continues to grow.
Alabama Gambling History
Alabama gambling history dates back to the start of the 1900’s when all forms of gambling were first banned by the constitution of the state. Seventy years later, pari-mutuel betting for dog and horse races was made lawful by the Alabama Supreme Court. One of the reasons behind this was because the outcome of these events depends on the animals’ skill and not luck.
Nearly a decade later, in 1980, bingo games held for charity were made legal in Jefferson County. The state’s constitution was amended to include this new law. Under this law, charitable bingo operations are not allowed to offer prize money over the value of $7,500 dollars a week.
If it does, players are only given that amount while the rest of the money must go to the charity. It can also be used to cover costs. The law also states that all operations can only run for two sittings a week and must only be five hours long.
Shortly after that, in 1984, the first horse race tracks were built and the act of betting on horse race outcomes was approved. There are no horse racing facilities in modern Alabama. 1988 was a very special year for Alabama gambling because this was when the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was first passed which allowed for the development of casinos on Native American land.
The latest Alabama gambling history record we have dates back to 2013 when a lawsuit was filed in an attempt to close the three casinos that are run by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. This lawsuit fortunately was never successful as all three casinos are still standing and fully operational today.
Alabama Gambling Overview
The future of Alabama gaming looks bleak. Horse and dog tracks are legal, but few cities qualify due to population limits. Interest in these types of gambling has also declined among residents. The state lottery remains a heavily debated topic. Lotteries are often profitable and can boost state economies, but Alabama still resists legalizing one.
Currently, tribal casinos only offer bingo-style games. Even these face legal pressure, with attempts made to shut them down. On the brighter side, offshore online gambling is still accessible. Residents can play casino games, place bets on sports and racing, or enjoy online bingo for cash rewards.
Alabama Gambling FAQs
Horse racing in Alabama was made legal by law many years ago. However, there are no horse race tracks currently operating today.
Yes, but only at tribal casinos and for charitable events. Even then, only Class II bingo-style machines are permitted but traditional slot machines are allowed.
Yes. Greyhound racing is banned in most U.S. states. Only a few allow it in limited forms, and Alabama no longer operates any active tracks.
Yes, a few licensed companies accept online horse racing bets under federal law. These include platforms like TVG, TwinSpires, and BetAmerica.