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The push to legalize gambling in Alabama has moved beyond the Statehouse floor. Out-of-state betting companies are now pouring money directly into legislative campaigns, backing candidates they believe will deliver a bill that has eluded the state for decades.
Campaign finance records from the Alabama Secretary of State show that a Montgomery-based political action committee, SV&B PAC, has distributed $718,500 to various state candidates since January 2025.
During that same period, the Sports Betting Alliance, a Virginia-based advocacy group, moved more than $1.25 million into that PAC. The alliance represents some of the biggest names in American sports betting: Bet365, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics and FanDuel.
The top five recipients of betting cash
State Sen. Jay Hovey tops the list of SV&B PAC recipients, taking in $50,000 since January 2025. He is followed by Senate candidate Doug Harwell at $45,000. Other top recipients include:
- State Sen. Chris Elliott: $40,000
- Senate President Pro Tempore Garlan Gudger: $35,000
- State Rep. James Lomax: $30,000
Harwell’s opponent in the Senate District 34 contest, former State Sen. Rusty Glover, has openly criticized the donations, calling SV&B PAC a “dark” and “mysterious” funding source. Harwell dismissed the claim, stating he met with the PAC and told representatives upfront he would only support a “good bill.”
Hovey was equally direct about his position. “Contributions don’t guide my position on gaming; it’s guided by common sense,” he said. He pointed to the steady stream of Alabamians who drive into Georgia to buy lottery tickets, arguing the state is bleeding tax revenue it could collect at home.
The Sports Betting Alliance has also sent more than $300,000 to the North Alabama PAC over the last two years, further widening its reach.
Tribal interests vs. out-of-state alliances
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians has also entered the fray. The tribe’s Poarch Creek Indian PAC has donated $190,000 to Alabama lawmakers since November 2025. The tribe, which operates existing gaming facilities in the state, has advocated for expanded gambling rights for years.
However, the influx of cash is meeting stiff resistance. Former US Rep. Mo Brooks, now running for Alabama House District 20, has pledged to take “zero special interest-packed money.”
“What we’re seeing with the laundering of this gambling empire’s money is just the tip of the iceberg,” Brooks said in an 1819 News article. He argued that lobbying groups are increasingly writing policy in Montgomery while taxpayers foot the bill. Brooks is challenging incumbent Rep. James Lomax.
A stalled session: Why bills are dying in Montgomery
Despite the surge in spending, gambling expansion is expected to stall again as the current session closes March 27. Several bills have been introduced, but none have gained traction:
- SB 257 (Sen. Merika Coleman-Evans): A broad measure to let voters decide on online sports betting, commercial casinos, a state lottery and a new regulatory body.
- HB 448 & HB 449: Measures focusing on a state lottery and lottery corporation.
- HB 262: A bill to legalize pari-mutuel wagering in six counties.
Alabama nearly reached a breakthrough in 2024 when a compromise bill cleared the House but fell one vote short in the Senate. That version would have legalized commercial casinos, sports betting and a lottery while permitting tribal Class III gaming.
The 2026 election: A high-stakes shift
With the current session winding down, the gambling industry appears to be playing a long game. The 2026 elections could shift the balance of power in both chambers. For Alabama voters, the looming question is whether the representatives sent to Montgomery will make the final call on behalf of their constituents or the companies signing the checks.
