Share
As the 2025 legislative session approaches, Alabama residents have found themselves bombarded by political ads promoting gambling regulation. Some of these ads focus on a pro-lottery message, while others are about sports betting. In both cases, the ads are trying to raise awareness of lawmakers’ efforts to call a referendum on gambling.
Last year’s efforts to that end failed, but lawmakers are poised to try again in 2025, when the legislature begins its session next week.
The lottery-focused ads are being sponsored by the Petroleum & Convenience Marketers of Alabama on multiple social media platforms.
The ads direct viewers to a page called Give Alabama a Voice, which encourages voters to speak up and tell their lawmakers in Montgomery that they want a say in whether or not Alabama should have a lottery.
The group wants Alabama lawmakers to pass a bill like last year’s that would allow voters the option to create a state lottery and legalize sports betting.
The idea of regulating some forms of gambling in Alabama is a popular one in both halves of the legislature and even with Governor Kay Ivey herself. However, disagreements about the details were the sticking point last year.
Pro-lottery and sports betting groups talk revenue
The Give Alabama A Voice page also cited revenue for the state as a factor for the urgency of the referendum:
“We’ve never been closer!!! Here in 2025, we have the momentum to vote on an Alabama Lottery, giving YOU the chance to participate in billions of dollars in lottery winnings. PLUS, Alabama gets to keep its share of the lottery revenue we are currently giving away to other surrounding states. This money will help our school children and build roads without additional taxes.”
On the sports betting front, it’s the Sports Betting Alliance pushing the message. That coalition, which includes the likes of DraftKings and FanDuel, took to their website to also run ads to this regard.
“Legalizing online sports betting would protect people against predatory, offshore betting sites and generate tens of millions in new tax revenue. Legal online sports betting would generate between $65 and $90 million in NEW annual tax revenue for Alabama,” the Sports Betting Alliance said.
Previous attempt met by a vote barrier
Last year’s legislative session ended with no gambling referendum because. Although the House passed a bill, the Senate came up one vote shy of the total needed to place the proposal on Gov. Ivey’s desk.
While the House wanted a referendum on sports betting and commercial casinos, the Senate was intent on protecting existing gaming interests, particularly those of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The Senate’s version of the bill suggested off-track betting and historical horse racing instead of full-scale commercial casinos.
The two chambers nearly reached a compromise, but Senator Greg Albritton derailed the effort by refusing to cast the decisive yes vote. The compromise had proposed allowing slots and other electronic games at four former dog racing tracks and three bingo halls, rather than HHR machines and off-track betting.
In the end, the bill had 20 senators voting in favor and 15 opposed. That was one vote short of the 21 needed, because Alabama requires a three-fifths supermajority to initiate a ballot measure to amend the state Constitution.
Albritton believed that allowing slot machines at racetracks would be a bad deal for the tribe, especially as it denied them the opportunity to build a new casino in northeastern Alabama, which was part of the version of the bill he endorsed.
As time will unravel what progress this endeavor will make in this year’s 2025 legislative session, the Alabama Policy Institute (API) has just launched a website that is warning the state of the consequences it may face if it goes further with the gambling expansion.
“Legalizing casino-style gambling in the state and establishing a statewide lottery is bad public policy, both fiscally and socially, and it is the wrong solution to address the state’s unsustainable fiscal trajectory. Regardless of who plays the lottery or gambles (regardless of the outcome), the government receives a portion of every dollar spent on these activities.
While Alabama waits to table its gambling concerns, states like New York have already presented an online casino bill.
Hawaii is also having discussions on having its lottery operate online casino games and also introduce sports betting.
