Best Online Casinos in Alabama: Southern Gaming Thrills

Casinos in Alabama have a lot to offer gamblers who understand where to go, even amid some strict regulations. Casinos in Alabama provide a classic game-wagering experience, with live dealers and all the thrills that blackjack, roulette, and other table games can offer. While sports betting, online wagering, daily fantasy sports, and betting on the state lottery are not allowed right now, that doesn’t mean gambling in Alabama is off the table. Residents and visitors alike can still find excitement and the potential for big wins at the places where wagering is permitted. Gamblers might also want to explore the charitable bingo scene in certain Alabama counties, adding another layer to the state’s unique gambling landscape.

While Alabama is celebrated for its Southern charm, the state also provides a bit of electrifying fun for individuals who enjoy the gaming business. The state has three physical tribal casinos—Wind Creek Casinos—run by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The three are located in Atmore, Wetumpka, and Montgomery. If an individual has been to one of the Poarch Band’s casinos in Mississippi or Pennsylvania—like the Wind Creek Bethlehem (a former Sands Bethlehem)—then the individual knows the non-stop, high-energy atmosphere that the gaming establishments of the Poarch Band deliver.

Besides these tribal casinos, some commercial racetracks provided a unique twist on traditional gambling. VictoryLand, Mobile Greyhound Park, and Birmingham Race Course became home to slot parlors, giving people a taste of the action usually reserved for major casino hubs. This latest development led to a sea of litigation pitting the three tracks against the state of Alabama from 2010 to 2012.

The conflict reached a climax in early 2013 when ex-Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange directed raids on the slot parlors, confiscating hundreds of slot machines. The race tracks sued Strange for possession of the machines. A court fight got underway, with Judge William Shashy presiding. Shashy eventually ruled that Strange had to give the slot machines back to the race tracks. In an unexpected plot twist, however, Strange did not comply with the court order and continued to keep the race tracks’ slot machines.

Strange’s career took a political turn in 2017 when he was appointed by Governor Bentley to fill the Senate seat that had been vacated by Jeff Sessions. In 2018, Milton McGregor, the man behind VictoryLand, passed away. His passing created a vacuum in leadership that led the new VictoryLand team to decide to reopen the venue—once known for hosting “slot machines” and for all the illegalities tied to them—as an off-track betting (OTB) and charitable bingo location.

Even though Alabama has a complicated history with gambling, the state has 24 exciting casinos, and they are all places where you can go to get high-stakes, high-energy action in any number of gaming forms, whether you’re betting on the slots or laying down some long-odds action at the poker table.

In Alabama, a distinct and appealing form of gambling exists, with bingo at the forefront, but only in some counties. A law passed in 1980 gives counties the authority to license and regulate bingo, which in turn creates opportunities for residents and visitors to experience what might be called the House of Bingo.

Bingo’s legal standing in some places owes much to two important amendments. Amendment 743 allowed Greene County to take charge of overseeing bingo games. Amendment 744 allowed Macon County to regulate charitable bingo games. These amendments are responsible for letting bingo be played in the states they govern. Still, many folks don’t realize how long these provisions have actually been on the books.

Bingo may not be offered in every corner of Alabama, but this staple of charitable gaming is very much alive in Greene and Macon counties, where folks can congregate around the bingo cards to have some good, clean fun.

Over the years, Alabama’s once-popular greyhound tracks have shifted to off-track betting (OTB). Birmingham Racecourse, Mobile Greyhound Park, and VictoryLand were once home to dog racing—but these historic venues now offer simulcasting, allowing bettors to enjoy all the thrills of live racing from tracks across the country, all while remaining in the Heart of Dixie. Whether it’s a first-timer or a seasoned pro, the bet can be made as legally in Alabama as in any other state that allows wagering on dogs, horses, or OTBs.

The facilities in Alabama, where betting on horse racing is permitted, may have evolved from the classic track to the more modern off-track betting parlor, but the thrill of placing a wager on “your horse in this race,” as the parlors’ signs invite, has withstood the test of time and the changing of forms. Even as simulcast betting has become the way of the world, the parlors continue to promise a “growing roster of opportunities to win,” not to mention an ideal environment in which to experience their “living legends.”

Although Alabama doesn’t have clear laws that forbid social gaming sites, the state maintains a strict enforcement posture regarding gaming. This implies that even though these social gaming platforms aren’t directly prohibited, players in Alabama would be prudent to avoid them.

Because of the stringent rules around gambling in Alabama, it’s best for residents to steer clear of real-money online gaming, as the situation can be legally ambiguous. Stay informed and be aware of changes in state law before getting involved with any kind of online gaming.

In Alabama, a few locations have turned to off-track betting to monetize the new legal landscape of wagering. The Birmingham Racecourse, Mobile Greyhound Park, and VictoryLand have become OTB facilities. Each of these venues allows for wagering on a multitude of live and recorded events. The Birmingham Racecourse allows for betting on 21 live horse races. In addition, it pumps in many horse races and quite a number of greyhound races from Florida. Altogether, this amounts to well more than 100 different live events one can bet on from the Racebook podium at the Birmingham Racecourse during a 30-day span.

Although numerous states permit private poker games among acquaintances, Alabama adopts a stricter stance on home gambling. Law enforcement officials in the state have even raided social poker games held in the privacy of a person’s home, without a rake, that one might think would be safe from intrusion.

Most of the U.S. permits hosting home poker games, provided that the money doesn’t go to the organizer. But Alabama lumps all poker together and says it’s illegal, even in the private spaces of homes—all for what can seem like a rather antiquated reason, given that poker is now widely accepted as a legitimate and safe form of entertainment.

These laws can be enforced differently by local authorities. But the state has set a clear precedent. Therefore, for safety and your peace of mind, it’s recommended that you avoid playing poker for real money in your home in Alabama.

• Alabama’s online gambling laws are a bit murky. The state hasn’t passed laws that govern online gambling, and it also doesn’t seem to target residents who want to run the online gambling gauntlet. But if you’re living in Alabama and thinking about running an online gambling operation, you’d better be ready for some pretty serious legal challenges. On the other hand, if you’re an individual player, there don’t seem to be any laws making it illegal for you to partake—just as long as you’re not running the operation itself!
• Alabama residents can play poker online, but the best way to enjoy this form of the game is by using poker sites that are based outside of the United States. It’s “safe and sound,” as long as you research the platforms you’re using to ensure they’re reputable. And then, it’s “sunny and fun,” as long as you’re only playing within your means!
• People living in Alabama can place legal bets on sports using offshore sportsbooks. These offer services that include betting with real money, placing live in-play bets, and taking advantage of welcome bonuses for new users. When using them, however, it’s essential to ensure that the sportsbooks are safe and honest.
• Should you find yourself in the southern part of Alabama, you also have the option of visiting terrestrial casinos in Mississippi. These offer sports betting: you can wage a friendly wager on SEC games and pro sports just a short drive from home!
• If you’re located in Alabama, we highly recommend Ignition Casino. New players can get a nice welcome bonus of up to $3,000 if they use Bitcoin and up to $2,000 if they use traditional payment methods when they sign up and make their first deposit. The casino has a low 25x play-through requirement for the bonus, which is nice.
• Were you aware? Ignition Casino presents more than 230 games, as well as several payment methods like principal credit cards, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, and Zelle. All those methods make for a really easy, really fun choosing-to-play experience for us here in Alabama!