Will Referendum on Alabama Lottery, Casinos, and Sports Betting Reach Voters?

Posted on: March 9, 2026, 11:48h. 

Last updated on: March 9, 2026, 11:49h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • Bills in Alabama seeking to authorize forms of gambling have stalled
  • The Alabama Constitution needs to be amended to permit any new form of gambling
  • Alabama’s tribal casinos only offer electronic-based bingo machines

Legislation in Alabama to allow the public to weigh in on whether a lottery, casino gambling, and sports betting are authorized is facing an imminent deadline.

Alabama referendum gaming lottery casinos
The Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery. Legislation to present gaming expansion questions to state voters in November is unlikely to pass the Alabama Legislature before its March 27th adjournment. (Image: Shutterstock)

The Alabama Legislature is set to adjourn on March 27 for its 2026 session. Senate Bill 257, which seeks to present gaming matters to voters during the 2026 statewide election, is in much-need of a quick resurgence.

Introduced by state Sen. Merika Coleman (D-Jefferson), SB257 would ask voters to amend the Alabama Constitution to permit various forms of gaming, including commercial and tribal casinos, sports betting, and a state-run lottery.

The proposed ballot referendum would allow the governor to negotiate a Class III gaming compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, which currently runs Alabama’s only casinos in Atmore, Montgomery, and Wetumpka. The Wind Creek casinos can only offer Class I and II gaming, as defined by the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The Wind Creek properties offer slot-like electronic bingo-based machines. 

Legislative Deadline Approaching

With the March 27 adjournment fast approaching, it appears that Alabamans will once again have their voice muted from the gaming discussion.

Since its introduction on Feb. 3, Coleman’s SB257 has sat with the Senate Tourism Committee. The committee, chaired by Sen. Randy Price (R-Chambers), has seemingly no interest in reviewing and voting to forward the gaming bill. Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Baldwin) is a member of the Tourism Committee and a longtime proponent of expanding gambling in the Cotton State.

SB257 already faced long odds before the Senate Tourism Committee decided not to act on the bill.

Because it seeks to present a ballot referendum to amend the state constitution, the bill requires a three-fifths majority support in each chamber of the legislature. Republicans hold a 76-29 majority in the House and 27-8 control of the Senate.   

House Lottery Bill

In the Alabama House of Representatives, a lottery bill has also stalled. Filed by Rep. Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery), House Bill 448 would establish the Alabama Lottery Corporation to administer a state-run lottery. The bill would also permit the state to enter into a compact with the Poarch Creek Indians to bring slot machines and live dealer table games to the three Wind Creek properties.

HB448, since it too is a proposed constitutional amendment, needs three-fifths majority support in the Alabama Legislature.

Ensler, who is seeking the Democratic ticket for the November lieutenant gubernatorial election, says a lottery and tribal casinos could generate $300 million a year for the state. Legalization would also protect consumers who are currently gambling offshore or through local, illegal operations.

But like SB257, Ensler’s HB448 has not cleared a committee. The lottery and tribal gaming bill has sat with the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee since its Feb. 12 introduction.