Charles Barkley Express Interest in Owning a Casino in Alabama

Posted on: March 30, 2025, 10:25h. 

Last updated on: March 30, 2025, 10:25h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • Charles Barkley wants to own a casino in Alabama
  • Barkley’s gambling escapades are well-documented
  • Commercial casinos remained banned in Alabama

Alabama native Charles Barkley says if his home state ends its longstanding prohibition of commercial casino gambling, he’d be interested in investing in a gaming property.

Charles Barkley Alabama casinos gambling
Charles Barkley thinks Alabama should legalize casinos with slot machines, table games, and sports betting. He’d also be interested in owning a casino in the Cotton State. (Image: CBS)

Alabama lawmakers have been mulling legislation to legalize casinos in the Cotton State for several years to no avail. Last year, a measure to authorize a state-run lottery, electronic gaming machines at parimutuel facilities, and Class III gaming (slots and live dealer table games) at tribal casinos operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians failed to pass the Alabama Legislature by a single vote.

Casino gaming legislation is expected in 2025 but has not yet been introduced. Barkley, the Auburn grad and 11-time NBA All-Star, was notorious during his playing days for fancying casinos during his team’s travels. It should come as little surprise that the March Madness analyst is supportive of bringing Las Vegas to Alabama. He’d also be interested in a piece of the pie.

Hell yeah,” Barkley told AL.com reporter Roy S. Johnson when asked if he’d consider investing in a casino in his home state. “I would love to be part of it.”

Barkley’s gaming roots run deep. In 2023, Barkley acknowledged that his family ran an underground casino and bootlegging operation when he was a child.

“The house was like a casino on the weekend. Guys would come on Friday and drink and gamble until Sunday,” Barkley said in a book on his life story titled,” Barkley: A Biography. 

Barkley and Gambling

Barkley is infamous for his gambling expenditures. In 2007, he told ESPN he estimates he lost “at least $20 million” gambling while crisscrossing the country playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets.

Barkley has always been unapologetic about his gambling behaviors because he has the financial means to more than cover his losses.

It’s not a problem. If you’re a drug addict or an alcoholic, those are problems. I gamble for too much money. As long as I can continue to do it, I don’t think it’s a problem. Yes, it’s a bad habit. Am I going to continue to do it? Yes.”

More recently, Barkley said when he dies, he’d like to have some of his cremated ashes spread “in a casino in Vegas.”

Alabama Casino Legislation

Legislation to initiate a statewide ballot referendum asking voters to approve of a state-run lottery has been filed, but a casino gaming bill remains on hold so far this legislative session.

In December, state Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) revealed there isn’t enough support in the GOP, which controls both chambers of the Legislature, to move forward with a gaming bill. He explained that support waned after the compromise reached by the special conference committee last year failed.

“Our new caucus rule says a majority of our caucus has to support a bill to go forward. We’re just not there. Not close,” Givhan said.

However, longtime gaming supporter Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore), who was cited for being the “no” vote last year that prevented the gaming package from going to Gov. Kay Ivey’s (R) desk because it didn’t allow the Poarch Indians to pursue a casino in the northern part of the state, is reportedly crafting a new gaming proposal.