The state’s Senate leader has confirmed that there won’t be any more discussion on the topic
Efforts to legalize gambling and establish a state lottery in Alabama have once again hit a wall. The latest proposal, introduced in the State House, was quickly rejected, ending its chances before it could gain any momentum. Lawmakers who’ve spent decades debating the topic now suggest the issue might be off the table for years to come.
Sen. Greg Albritton, a long-time advocate for gambling legislation, expressed frustration over the latest collapse. After nearly three decades of trying, he believes there’s little appetite left in the Senate to move forward. Albritton pointed out that any bill containing the word “gambling” seems to be met with immediate resistance, no matter its content.
This year’s proposal included familiar elements like a statewide lottery, sports betting, and expanded casino options. It also aimed to formalize an agreement with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to allow table games at existing tribal sites. But with just a few days left in the legislative session, leadership decided not to move the bill forward.
Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter both indicated that lawmakers have more urgent issues to handle before the session ends. Topics such as hemp regulations, pharmacy benefit managers, and new health plans are taking priority.
Some legislators welcomed the move to shelve the gambling discussion. Others voiced disappointment that such a widely supported issue, at least among voters, continues to stall. A 2023 poll showed that 80% of Alabamians support a lottery, yet the state remains one of only five without one.
While the debate is quiet for now, many believe gambling will return as a central issue in the 2026 election cycle. For now, though, any hopes of passing a gambling bill in 2025 have been officially shut down.
