Legal January 31, 2023 Adrian Sterne https://www.top10pokersites.net/author/adrian-sterne

Legal Online Poker in Alabama

by Adrian Sterne Updated: January 31, 2023

Although the Heart of Dixie is known for its Southern hospitality, that doesn’t exactly transfer to online gambling. In fact, Alabama is one of the US states with the most stringent laws and no state lottery.

However, AL isn’t entirely devoid of legal gambling. The state counts four racinos, three tribal casinos, and electronic bingo. Don’t get your hopes up, though — these land-based casinos feature no card games, slot machines, or poker rooms. Although we’ve seen some movement toward expanding the casino and sports betting landscape, none of the bills have been signed into law.

So, if you’re looking for online poker in Alabama, you’ll find limited options. However, other ways of playing your favorite online poker game exist. Read on to learn more.

Online gambling, and online poker for that matter, is still illegal in Alabama. The only exception is DFS betting, which was legalized in 2019 thanks to HB361. But we’re not here to talk about daily fantasy sports.

Most gambling forms are regulated by the Alabama Constitution, enacted in 1901. However, the antiquated language and rules don’t include modern developments, including online poker. As a result, several progressive movements are trying to update the current laws. Still, since Alabama has a deep connection to Judeo-Christian values, many opposing forces want to stop any further developments.

At the same time, many use the absence of special online gambling regulations to interpret the laws differently and participate in online gaming activities. The same goes for offshore online poker rooms. These sites fall under the gray area but still accept AL players and feature fantastic gambling opportunities.

So, if you want to play online poker, check out the best international operators featured on this site.

Poker Laws

LawWhile the state constitution doesn’t criminalize games of skill, it prohibits games of chance. For some reason, many states with similar regulations, like Alabama, consider poker a game of chance.

As a result, you won’t find any poker-specific laws or rules in Alabama Code or any other legislative document.

Nevertheless, to learn more about Alabama’s gambling laws, you should read the Code of Alabama, Title 13A, Chapter 12, Article 2. It’s the only piece of legislation pertaining to gambling.

In 2021, SB319 was presented during the legislative session. It would legalize slot machines and the state lottery, bringing Alabama one step closer to creating a regulated gambling market. We are still waiting for news on any further developments.

Best Legal Poker Rooms in Alabama

All this talk about failed bills and a strict anti-gambling environment disappoints anyone who wants to know more about online gambling in Alabama. However, we’ve already mentioned that, despite not having a regulated iGaming scene, the Heart of Dixie offers other options.

Legal Online Poker in Alabama

As we explained, online poker isn’t legalized in Alabama. However, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy top-notch games and tournaments on the web.

The lack of legislation opened doors to offshore operators that cater to Alabama residents. Although it may sound suspicious, these are entirely legit platforms licensed by international regulators. As such, they don’t fall under US jurisdiction and are free to offer poker games to Alabama residents.

However, some offshore poker sites use the lack of control and laws to scam unsuspecting players. That’s why we took it upon ourselves to find the best ones. Our expert team has scoured the web, tested, and reviewed many online poker rooms. In the end, only those that have met our expectations found a place on this website.

So, if you’re ready to test your poker skills, check out our best picks at the top of the page.

My list of the best US poker sites which I consider to be the best rooms to play in 2023:

  1. BetOnline Poker
  2. Ignition Poker
  3. Everygame Poker
  4. Juicy Stakes Poker
  5. ACR Poker
  6. Bovada Poker
  7. BlackChip Poker
  8. SportsBetting Poker

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The following paragraphs discuss how you can enjoy online and land-based poker sessions in Alabama.

Legal Land-Based Poker in Alabama

Tribal casinos and racinos can only offer electronic bingo to their customers, so you won’t find any poker tables or rooms. The only way to participate in land-based poker is to organize a charity event, meet up with friends for a home poker game, or drive to the nearest Mississippi casino.

However, if you wish to organize a poker night, you shouldn’t plan to profit from it because that’s punishable according to the Alabama Criminal Code.

How to Register at a Legal Online Poker Site in Alabama

Here’s how you can become a member at one of the recommended online poker rooms:

Choose A Poker Room

Choose an operator from our list.

Use one of the links to visit the casino’s website.

Signup

Click on the option to register.

Set up an account by filling out the form with the necessary information.

Verify your account if required.

Deposit & Play

Load the Cashier, pick your preferred payment method, and make a deposit.

Wait for the funds to appear on your balance, load the game lobby, and find the poker title you want to play.

Land-Based Casinos With Live Poker

As mentioned, the three land-based tribal casinos and four racinos offer no table games. Therefore, we suggest a road trip to Mississippi if you want to play live poker in a real casino setting. Here are the best land-based casinos close to the border with fantastic live poker games:

Other Resources

Final Thoughts

Although it seems like AL residents won’t see online or land-based poker rooms any time soon, it’s good to know that other options exist. The sites we’ve presented on this page offer plenty of high-quality poker games and tournaments suitable for players of all levels and budgets.

So, until a major reform comes through and introduces legal online poker rooms, you know what to do. Scroll to the top of the page, pick a site, sign up, and enjoy everything it offers.

FAQ

Is online poker legal in Alabama?

According to the Alabama Constitution, no forms of online gambling are legal, including online poker. On the other hand, no laws prohibit you from joining offshore online poker sites and testing your poker skills. However, pick a licensed and trustworthy site, like the ones featured on this page.

What poker sites are legal in Alabama?

Sweepstakes and social casinos are the only legally recognized gambling sites you can play on. Poker fans can access Global Poker, a sweepstakes-based poker room with plenty of ring games, Sit’n Gos, and multi-table tournaments.

Are home poker games legal in Alabama?

They are but under certain conditions. Alabama residents can host private poker games as long as they don’t profit from them. This means no entrance fees, rakes, or real money wagers.

What’s the legal gambling age in Alabama?

You must be 21 or older to go to any of the few existing gambling venues in the Heart of Dixie.

Will Alabama legalize online poker?

There’s no way of knowing if and when Alabama will legalize online poker. The state saw several bills to legalize sports betting in 2021, but the attempts were futile. Although there’s still some movement toward legalizing casino gaming, it doesn’t involve online poker.

About The Author

Adrian Sterne Editor

Hi, I am the Chief Editor of top10pokersites.net, this site is dedicated to all thing poker. I have been working around the poker industry for the last 15 years, with different brands. The main purpose of this site is to keep you uptodate with the industry and offer you the best deals around.