Online Gambling in Alabama: What Players Need to Know

Online poker is not legal in Alabama. The state has never authorized internet-based card rooms, and there are no licensed platforms for real-money poker play.

Alabama is not part of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) or any other compact that allows shared liquidity between states. This means cash games, tournaments, and sit-and-go formats are unavailable under state law.

Residents may encounter offshore poker sites, but these are not regulated, lack player protections, and operate outside U.S. law. Until new legislation is passed, all forms of online poker remain prohibited in Alabama.

Alabama is one of the few states in the U.S. that does not have a state lottery. All attempts to introduce one have failed, despite repeated proposals in the legislature. Efforts have often faced opposition due to religious and political factors, along with disagreements over revenue allocation.

This means there are no state-run draw games, scratch tickets, or online lottery platforms available to residents. Players in Alabama who wish to participate in national games such as Powerball or Mega Millions must travel to neighboring states like Florida, Georgia, or Tennessee, where tickets are legally sold.

Until lawmakers approve a constitutional amendment, the Alabama Lottery does not exist, leaving residents without access to any official draw games or scratch-offs.

Bingo is one of the few legal forms of gambling in Alabama. It is permitted for charitable purposes in certain counties, where licensed organizations can host paper and electronic bingo games to raise funds. Regulations vary by county, and operators must strictly comply with local ordinances. Players must be 18 or older to participate.

In addition, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians operates several tribal casinos in Alabama that offer Class II bingo-style gaming. These facilities feature electronic bingo machines that resemble slot games but are legally categorized as bingo under federal law.

However, online bingo is not legal in Alabama. No platforms are licensed to offer digital bingo for real money within the state.

Charitable gaming is allowed in Alabama, but only under county-level approval and with strict rules. Eligible nonprofit organizations can host events such as bingo and raffles, provided they obtain the proper local permits. All proceeds must go toward the stated charitable purpose, and games must follow county regulations regarding prize limits and event frequency. Players must be 18 or older to participate.

Casino-style charity nights, pull-tabs, and online charity raffles are not explicitly authorized under Alabama law, which keeps the scope of charitable gambling very narrow. Enforcement is handled at the local level, and operators must remain compliant to avoid penalties.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) are not legal in Alabama. The state’s Attorney General issued opinions in 2016 declaring that DFS contests, such as those offered by DraftKings and FanDuel, constitute illegal gambling under Alabama law. As a result, major DFS operators withdrew from the state.

Since then, lawmakers have introduced multiple bills to legalize and regulate DFS, but none have passed. This leaves Alabama as one of the states where DFS platforms cannot legally operate, and players do not have access to contests for real-money prize pools.

Until legislation changes, all DFS activity remains prohibited in Alabama.

Social gambling is not legally permitted in Alabama. State law does not provide exemptions for private, non-commercial games such as home poker nights or informal sports pools. Any form of gambling, even among friends where no house rake or profit is taken, can technically be considered illegal under Alabama’s broad anti-gambling statutes.

Because of this, there is no regulatory oversight or legal protection for social gambling. Hosting or participating in such games may expose individuals to legal risk, even if no money is made by the organizer.

Online social casinos that use virtual currency only (with no cash-out option) are accessible in Alabama, but real-money play in any social setting remains prohibited.

Alabama does not allow commercial land-based casinos. The state has a constitutional ban on most forms of gambling, and there are no licensed venues offering slots, table games, poker rooms, or sportsbooks.

The only exceptions are the tribal casinos operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. These facilities – located in Atmore, Wetumpka, and Montgomery – are classified as Class II gaming venues, which means they can legally offer bingo-style electronic machines and certain bingo-related games, but not traditional slot machines or house-banked table games.

Access to tribal casinos is restricted to players 18 and older, and operations are governed under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) rather than Alabama state law.