Alabama Sports Betting: Legal AL Sportsbooks
NOT LEGAL
Alabama sports betting isn’t legal right now, but ongoing legislative pushes and growing public interest could change that soon. Find alternative betting methods below.
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Last Updated: 1 July, 2025
No. Alabama does not allow any form of regulated sports betting.
Lawmakers have tried to pass legislation multiple times, including a major push in 2024.
Despite some momentum, no bill has made it through both chambers with sports betting intact.
Key facts about gambling in Alabama
How do I gamble in Alabama?
While many guides may suggest you’re able to bet on sports within Alabama, you cannot, and we only list genuine, legal ways to gamble, which may not include sports betting.
Daily fantasy sports (DFS)
DFS is fully legal in Alabama. Sites like FanDuel, DraftKings, and PrizePicks allow residents to pick lineups and enter contests for real money.
These contests operate under a skill-based gaming model and are not classified as traditional gambling under Alabama law.
Other options
Alabama residents can legally wager on simulcast horse racing at places like Birmingham Race Course.
There are also tribal casinos that offer electronic games and bingo.
Some charitable raffles and bingo events are also permitted under specific regulations.
How old do I have to be to bet in Alabama?
The minimum gambling age in Alabama is 18 for pari-mutuel wagering and tribal casinos.
However, most online platforms that offer daily fantasy sports or social sportsbooks require users to be at least 21.
If Alabama ever legalizes sports betting, it's likely the legal age would align with other states and be set at 21.
Always check each platform’s terms to confirm age requirements before signing up.
Can I bet on sports in another state?
Yes, Alabama residents can legally place sports bets by traveling to a state where sports betting is regulated.
Tennessee offers mobile sports betting with no in-person registration required, making it a convenient option for those near the border.
Mississippi has legal sports betting, too, but only at in-person sportsbooks inside casinos.
While it is legal to place bets while physically in these states, it is not legal to place mobile bets from Alabama using apps based elsewhere.
Betting sites to avoid
With legal options limited, some Alabama players turn to offshore betting sites that claim to accept US customers.
These platforms often look legitimate but operate outside US regulations, with no consumer protections in place.
Issues like blocked withdrawals, poor support, and rigged odds are common.
⚠️ Unregulated offshore sites often pose risks like poor security, no legal recourse, and unfair odds. We strongly recommend using only legal, state-regulated platforms when available. ⚠️
Pros and cons of sports betting in Alabama
Pros
- ✅ Sports fans already engaged and ready to bet
- ✅ Could create new jobs and boost tax revenue
Cons
- ❌ No political momentum to pass new legislation
- ❌ Offshore betting remains risky and unregulated option
Latest sports betting updates in Alabama
Stay on top of the latest efforts to legalize sports betting in Alabama. Here are the most recent developments:
Future of sports betting in Alabama
Alabama has shown signs of interest in legalizing sports betting, but progress remains slow.
Lawmakers continue to debate comprehensive gambling legislation, often tying it to broader issues like casino or lottery expansion.
While 2024 efforts gained some traction, the removal of sports betting provisions from a larger gaming bill signaled where priorities currently lie.
Still, support may be building, and the success of legal betting in neighboring states like Tennessee and Mississippi puts pressure on Alabama to follow suit.
Advocacy from local tribes and public figures could also help shape future momentum.
We believe 2025 will be a pivotal year, especially if lawmakers introduce a standalone bill focused solely on sports betting.
Other types of legal betting in Alabama
While sports betting sites aren’t legal in Alabama, a few other types of gambling are allowed.
These include regulated tribal casinos, pari-mutuel wagering, and daily fantasy sports contests.
The options are limited compared to most other states, but Alabama residents still have legal ways to place certain kinds of bets.
Horse racing
Horse racing is legal in Alabama, but only through simulcast wagering.
Bettors can visit Birmingham Race Course to place pari-mutuel bets on live broadcasts of races happening in other states.
Online horse betting is also legal through licensed racebooks like TVG or TwinSpires.
However, live horse racing events do not currently run in Alabama.
Daily fantasy sports
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests are legal in Alabama.
Platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings are available to residents and allow entry into contests with real cash prizes.
Alabama passed DFS legislation in 2019, and there have been no significant challenges since.
DFS remains one of the most accessible forms of online wagering in the state.
Pari-mutuel wagering
Pari-mutuel betting is legal in Alabama, but only on horse races.
This form of wagering pools all bets together, and payouts depend on how many people choose each outcome.
It's available only through simulcast options at Birmingham Race Course.
There are no other racetracks or betting venues currently operating.
Charitable bingo and raffles
Alabama permits certain forms of charitable gaming, including bingo and raffles.
These games are often run by nonprofit or religious organizations under strict local rules.
Several counties have passed specific legislation to allow bingo operations.
However, these games are not available online and must be held in person.
Yes, social sportsbooks are legal in Alabama.
These platforms use virtual coins or sweepstakes models, allowing users to make picks without using real money.
Because they don’t offer traditional cash payouts, they are not regulated the same way as sportsbooks.
Popular options like Fliff and Chalkboard are fully accessible to Alabama residents.
Social sportsbooks offer a great way to enjoy sports betting-style gameplay.
Alabama DFS
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) are legal in Alabama, giving residents one of the few ways to legally engage in real-money sports-related games.
DFS platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings are available to Alabamians and operate under state law.
1. FanDuel
FanDuel is one of the top DFS platforms in Alabama and across the US.
It offers a wide range of sports, from the NFL and NBA to college contests.
The interface is beginner-friendly, but also has features for serious players.
FanDuel constantly adds limited-time contests tied to big events, which keeps things fresh.
Alabama users can enter daily contests and pick lineups without waiting for a full season to finish.
Top features
Salary cap and snake draft formats
Beginner contests available
In-app lineup editing and alerts
Same-game DFS slates for NFL and NBA
Fast withdrawals and multiple payment methods
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Trusted, secure brand
- ✅ Deep variety of sports
Cons
- ❌ Can be overwhelming to new users
- ❌ Some contests fill quickly
Read our expert FanDuel review.
2. DraftKings
DraftKings is another major DFS provider available in Alabama.
It offers head-to-heads, large tournaments, and a wide selection of fantasy sports contests.
DraftKings also has some unique promotions tied to sportsbook-style odds, even within its fantasy product.
Users in Alabama can enter contests for real cash prizes each day.
Top features
Massive contest pool with millions in prizes
Sports-specific promos and bonuses
Easy lineup management on desktop and mobile
Beginner lobbies and tutorials
Linkable to a US sportsbook account (when legal)
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Huge player base, lots of contests
- ✅ Strong mobile experience
Cons
- ❌ Some contests have high entry fees
- ❌ Complex scoring formats
Read our expert DraftKings review.
3. PrizePicks
PrizePicks offers a different twist on DFS for Alabama users.
Instead of drafting teams, players simply choose over/under stat projections for 2–6 athletes.
It’s fast, easy to learn, and doesn’t require playing against other people.
This makes it appealing for casual bettors who still want action in a legal format.
Top features
No player pool, just pick stat lines
Fast entries with quick results
Smaller learning curve than traditional DFS
Frequent deposit bonuses
Covers niche sports and props
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Simple and beginner-friendly
- ✅ Great for prop-based fans
Cons
- ❌ Fewer strategy layers
- ❌ Lower max payouts compared to large contests
Types of bets in Alabama
Even though sports betting isn’t legal in Alabama, it helps to understand the different types of wagers available if and when laws change.
These are the most common bet types you'll find at sportsbooks in nearby states or on legal platforms elsewhere.
Moneyline: A simple bet on which team or player will win the game outright. No point spread involved.
Point spread: This bet involves picking a team to win or lose by a certain number of points. It's often used to balance matchups between stronger and weaker teams.
Over/Under (totals): You bet whether the total combined score of both teams will be over or under a set number. It doesn’t matter which team wins.
Futures: A long-term bet on outcomes like championship winners or season awards. These bets are usually placed well before the event happens.
Parlays: A combination of two or more bets tied together for a higher payout. All parts of the parlay must win for the bet to cash.
Prop bets: Wagers on specific events within a game, like who scores first or how many touchdowns a player has. These are often tied to player performance or game milestones.
Live betting: Also called in-play betting, this allows you to place bets as the game happens. Odds change in real time based on the action.
Frequently asked questions
Responsible gambling in Alabama
While Alabama doesn’t yet offer legal sports betting, some gambling options do exist, and it's important to gamble responsibly.
Gambling should always be a form of entertainment, not a way to make money or handle stress.
If you're struggling to stay in control, help is available.
Since the state doesn't have a full gambling regulatory body, support resources are limited, but they do exist.
We've listed national and Alabama-specific contacts below.
Alabama Council on Compulsive Gambling
Website: www.alccg.org
24/7 confidential helpline: 334-277-5100
Alabama Department of Mental Health – Gambling Addiction Services
Website: mh.alabama.gov
Offers referrals and treatment support for individuals and families
National Problem Gambling Helpline
Website: ncpgambling.org
Phone: 1-800-GAMBLER (24/7 confidential support)
International Center for Responsible Gaming
Website: www.icrg.org
Offers research, prevention tools, and educational resources on gambling addiction.
If you notice signs of problem gambling, like chasing losses, hiding bets, or gambling with money you can’t afford to lose, reach out to one of these groups.
You’re not alone, and help is just a call or click away.
Why you can trust us
At Sporting Post, we prioritize accuracy, objectivity, and transparency in every piece of content we write.
Our expert team conducts thorough, real-world testing of betting platforms, ensuring reviews and insights are unbiased and reliable from a human perspective.
We adhere to strict ethical standards, maintaining editorial independence and avoiding conflicts of interest, while regularly updating our content to reflect the latest trends and developments.
Our mission is to empower bettors with trustworthy information, backed by rigorous research and a commitment to responsible gambling.
You can trust us to provide clear, concise, and honest advice, helping you make informed betting decisions.
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This process helps ensure that all of our content is as relevant, accurate, and valuable to readers as possible.
Read more here too: How we rank sportsbooks.
References
Contributors
Josh Miller
Author
Josh Miller, Sporting Post’s Sports & Casino Editor, brings over five years of experience in feature writing, blogging, and SEO.
With a strong background in football coverage and sports betting, his work has been featured in VAVEL.
Josh also writes extensively about online casinos, providing expert insights into games, bonuses, and gambling trends.
His engaging and informative content makes him a reliable resource for Sporting Post readers.
Bradley Gibbs
Reviewed By
With over 12 years of experience, Bradley Gibbs is a seasoned sports betting writer and analyst specializing in uncovering value bets across football, horse racing, tennis, and golf.
His extensive coverage of these sports has been featured on numerous websites and in The Racing & Football Outlook, a renowned UK betting publication.
Bradley's expertise lies in identifying betting edges and delivering insightful, data-driven content for informed wagering.