【Interwetten Bonus 10 Euro】New Alabama sports betting bills will fail to advance this year

Rep. Jeremy Gray introduced House Bill 490 (HB 490) this week, which proposes legalising sports betting and creating a new regulatory body, the Alabama Gaming Commission.

Meanwhile, Sen. Greg Albritton unveiled to AL.com a broader proposal, which combines sports betting with the establishment of a state lottery, the authorisation of electronic gambling, and a compact for tribal casinos.

Under HB 490, the Alabama Gaming Commission would be tasked with regulating sports betting and issuing licences to operators.

The bill proposes a 10% tax on sports betting revenue, to be divided among three funds: 40% of the tax revenue would go to the state’s general fund, 40% to the education trust fund, and 20% to a newly proposed NIL (name, image, and likeness) Trust Fund.

The NIL Trust Fund, managed by a designated oversight committee, would provide financial compensation to student-athletes in Alabama for the use of their name, image, and likeness.

Rep. Gray’s bill comes after the Alabama House of Representatives approved a pair of bills in 2024 that would have legalised sports betting and a lottery.

However, both of those bills failed in the Senate. HB 490 narrows its focus to sports betting, possibly in an effort to win more targeted support.

Senate legislation takes nuanced approach

Meanwhile, Sen. Albritton’s approach, like his previous attempts, is more comprehensive.

His plan includes provisions for a state-run lottery, the legalisation of electronic gambling at specific sites, sports betting, and the establishment of up to four tribal casinos.

The activity would be allowed through a compact negotiated between the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and the state governor.

These casinos would be located on tribal lands, with expanded rights granted under the compact.

According to the senator, the electronic gambling operations would be limited to former greyhound tracks in Jefferson, Macon, and Mobile Counties, as well as bingo halls in Greene, Houston, and Lowndes Counties.

His plan sets a 24% tax on net revenues from both sports betting and electronic gambling, in addition to an excise tax on each electronic gaming machine and a sports wagering tax on individual bets.

However, Sen. Albritton conceded that he remains several votes short of the 21 needed for passage in his chamber.

During a press briefing, he confirmed that his proposal would also require a constitutional amendment, meaning it would need voter approval in the 16 September 2025, election.

But, without sufficient legislative support, the measure will not be introduced during the 2025 legislative session.

End of the line

Senate President Pro Tempore Garlan Gudger confirmed that no gambling legislation will move forward this year.

In a statement released after the Senate adjourned on Thursday (3 April), Sen. Gudger emphasised that a gaming bill would demand extensive negotiations and consensus building.

He added that neither is feasible with only 12 meeting days remaining and major budgetary items still unresolved.

Sen. Gudger characterised the latest legislative efforts as insufficient, given the timing and lack of support.

He also pointed out that earlier attempts to pass a comprehensive gambling package in 2024 — comprising a constitutional amendment, lottery, and regulated gaming — failed due to disagreements over revenue allocation and permissible types of gambling.

Despite Sen. Albritton’s sustained advocacy and multiple appearances on local media outlets to promote the bill, he acknowledged that the lack of votes renders any new bill introduction in 2025 moot.

Speaking to the Alabama Reflector, Sen. Albritton admitted that Sen. Gudger’s assessment was accurate and confirmed he would not introduce the proposal in the current session.

Tensions between the House and Senate over previous gaming legislation remain unresolved.

Last year, Senate revisions to the House-approved package were met with criticism, leading House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter to announce in February that the chamber would not advance its own version this year.

Although public interest and some legislative support for legalised sports betting and expanded gambling persist, internal disagreements and procedural hurdles continue to stall progress.