Is Online poker legal in Alabama – Poker Laws in Alabama

Online Poker

AL poker enthusiasts can only enjoy playing their favorite game on the internet through AL social and sweepstakes online casinos. These sites are legal due to their financial models. They don’t take rakes for their casino games, including poker. Instead, the players receive special casino virtual currency upon registering and use it to play games.

Offshore casinos are a great alternative if social and sweepstakes gambling sites aren’t your cup of tea. These gambling platforms offer various real-money poker games and regularly host tournaments. They’re registered outside of Alabama jurisdiction and hold licenses by offshore gambling regulatory bodies. Since the Alabama gambling legislature comprises no provisions that directly outlaw them, you’re free to join any you like. You can find a list of the best offshore online casinos on this website.

Land-Based Poker

The only land-based gambling venues Alabama offers are three tribal casinos, four simulcast racinos, and several electronic bingo options. However, none host Class II games like poker, including those run by tribes. Slots and electronic bingo that resemble slots in infrastructure are the only games these venues offer outside pari-mutuel betting.

Even with narrow gambling offers such as this one, tribal venues were still under attack by state officials. The state attorney general issued several lawsuits at these venues for hosting slot-like games over the years. However, they could stand their ground as the attorney general didn’t have jurisdiction over their land.

If none of the AL gambling options cut it for you, your best chance to play real-money land-based poker is outside of Alabama. The closest you’ll find real-cash games and poker tournaments are gambling establishments in Biloxi, Mississippi or Jacksonville, Florida.

Home Poker

The Alabama Code that covers gambling regulations in this state deems home and social casino games legal. To that end, AL residents can organize, host, and play poker games at their homes. Nevertheless, they must not profit from holding the games or stake anything of value in them. The sole purpose of their conduct must be entertainment.

AL Tribal Casinos

Alabama offers three land-based tribal casinos. They’re owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians — the only federally recognized Native American tribe in Alabama. You can find them in Atmore, Montgomery, and Wetumpka. These brick-and-mortar gambling venues are legal because of the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, passed by the federal government. The legislation allowed tribes to organize and regulate all gambling activity on their land.

Despite the federal legislation, the mentioned AL tribal casinos do not host any table games or include poker rooms, but slot and bingo parlors. Alabama residents 21 or older can enter and enjoy any games they carry.

Electronic Bingo

A 1980 constitutional amendment has made bingo legal for the first time in Jefferson County as a charitable game. However, the options to play this famous lottery title were limited until 2003. The 2003 HB660 bill allowed the first electronic bingo machines in Macon County, and Constitutional Amendment 743 did the same for Greene County. Many other counties followed suit, opening multiple e-bingo facilities within their borders. AL tribal casinos did the same shortly after.

These electronic bingo machines are based on the standard bingo game, but they operate similarly to slot machines. This feature has made them the target of numerous anti-gambling proponents over the years. AL gambling venues were subject to various purges and raids, the largest in 2010. Nevertheless, they’ve reopened every time.

Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Horse Racing in Alabama

Alabama authorities first legalized pari-mutuel wagering and horse racing back in 1902. Due to their nature, these activities are excluded from the state’s blanket ban on gambling. According to the AL law, they aren’t categorized as games of chance because they’re based on animal skill rather than pure luck.

Alabama currently offers four simulcast racinos — Greenetrack, Birmingham Race Course, VictoryLand, and Mobile Greyhound Park. They’re located in Eutaw, Birmingham, Shorter, and Theodore and are regulated by commissions set up by their own municipalities.

On top of these options, Alabama residents can also enjoy online mobile horse betting. Several known sites that offer this form of gambling operate in Alabama. Among the most famous is TwinSpires. You must be at least 21 years old to enter and try your luck at any of the above-mentioned land-based racinos’ betting options.

Daily Fantasy Sports in Alabama

Alabama passed the HB361 bill in 2019, making betting on daily fantasy sports legal and regulated. This gambling category has been an option for AL residents in the past but was barred in 2016 when the then-attorney general declared it illegal. This action forced two industry-leading companies, DraftKings and FanDuel, out of the AL market. However, both companies returned to the state after HB361 became law.

Today, all Alabamans and state visitors can enjoy any DFS game online. The only restriction the state imposes on this game is age-related. All players must be at least 19 years old to make DFS bets.

Charitable and Home Gaming

As explained earlier, Alabama Code does not comprise a stipulation prohibiting charitable and home casino games. However, organizers and participants cannot hold or engage in these games for financial gain.

Alabama Lottery

Alabama is a rare US state with no state lottery. The closest to this gambling category the Yellowhammer State offers is bingo. Alabamans can currently play bingo in its land-based racinos, tribal casinos, and charitable events. However, Sen. Greg Albritton’s recent amendment proposal might lead to changes. This piece of legislation would authorize the state to conduct lottery games if approved.