Creating a regulated market for gambling remains a topic of focus for Alabama lawmakers and interested stakeholders, even though no bill has yet appeared in the legislature this year. One party keen on expanding the legal options in the state is the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PBCI), which can currently offer only bingo-based games at its casinos. The tribe believes expanding to table games like blackjack and introducing sports betting would benefit the state. PBCI has also recently expressed a willingness to work with lawmakers to advance gambling legislation.
In 2024, Alabama came the closest to putting gambling on the ballot for the first time since 1999. Voters then rejected a lottery proposal, and Alabama remains one of just five states without a state-run lottery. The House passed a comprehensive gambling bill, but the Senate rejected it. In response, the Senate introduced an alternative proposal, which the House voted down. A bicameral conference committee then worked out a compromise. However, while the House passed it, the Senate rejected it by one vote.
Poarch Band is open to working with lawmakers
PBCI operates three Class II tribal casinos, which are limited to bingo-based gaming. However, the tribe believes it is losing customers to neighboring states where full-scale casino games like blackjack, roulette, and poker are available. Arthur Mothershed, PBCI executive vice president of business development and government relations, told Al.com that many casino players prefer table games:
You just have some folks that aren’t entertained by playing slots. Most people I talk to, they feel more in control of their destinies sitting at a card table. There is a skill.
Electronic bingo, slots, that’s random-number games of chance. There is some skill in a card game.
PBCI advocates for a comprehensive gambling bill, similar to last year’s effort. Ideally, the tribe wants approval for Class III gaming at its casinos, allowing for a full range of casino games. Mothershed said that in a “perfect world,” the Poarch Band could also offer licensed sports betting and support the establishment of a state lottery.
However, he acknowledged that potential legislation might not include everything on the tribe’s wish list. Despite that, the tribe is willing to work with lawmakers as long as there’s positive progress. That includes provisions for non-tribal casinos.
A gambling bill depends on Senate support
While there’s no active bill, lawmakers are undoubtedly interested in the matter. One of them is Sen. Greg Albritton, the original sponsor of the Senate bill last year. Albritton was one of the senators who voted against the final compromise. In November last year, he talked to a local news outlet and said he thinks gambling conversations will be back in 2025. However, finding a lawmaker to sponsor a comprehensive gambling bill will be difficult.
Despite voting against last year’s compromise measure, Albritton could support another effort. He believes Alabama must regulate and tax gambling:
Alabama has a moral obligation to take control of this industry that’s just expanding like crazy.
You look at sports gaming. Sports gaming is on a runaway track. Everyone’s involved in it. It’s in every medium that you see. And we’re just sitting back watching it grow, doing nothing about it.
We’re suffering from the ills of it and will continue to suffer even more so until we do our duty and take control of this industry.
However, Albritton has made it clear that he won’t introduce a bill unless he has enough support in the legislative chamber. Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, who believes voters should have the chance to vote on the topic, has also indicated that gambling expansion will remain on the back burner until more senators get behind it.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, said the chamber would wait on the Senate this year. Ledbetter added that the House has already done its part in the previous session.
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