Alabama Lottery Unlikely to Reach Ballot in 2026, Lawmakers Say
Alabamians still can’t buy a lottery ticket or place a legal wager on a football game without crossing state lines, and that reality is unlikely to change in 2026. Despite years of debate and growing pressure as neighboring states cash in, legislative leaders are signaling that a lottery or broader gambling proposal is all but dead for the upcoming election year.
Alabama Lottery Push Hits Another Roadblock Ahead of 2026
Leaders in both chambers have made it clear there is little appetite to revisit the issue when the 2026 legislative session begins. Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter have both said the votes simply aren’t there to move forward with a lottery, casinos, or sports betting. Gudger summed it up by saying his “gut feeling” is that gambling legislation will not come up this year.
That lack of momentum matters because Alabama’s bar is uniquely high. Any gambling expansion requires a constitutional amendment, which must pass with a three-fifths majority in both chambers before voters ever see it on a ballot.
The closest Alabama has come in decades was in 2024, when a sweeping package including a lottery, casinos, sports betting, and a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians passed the House but fell one vote short in the Senate.
History Shows Alabama Voters Haven’t Embraced Gambling Expansion
The history is long and frustrating. Alabama voters last weighed in on a lottery in 1999, rejecting then-Gov. Don Siegelman’s education-focused proposal 54% to 46%. Since then, lawmakers have introduced numerous bills, most collapsing under internal disagreements, opposition from religious groups, and concerns over corruption and enforcement.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country has moved on. Forty-five states now have lotteries, and sports betting is legal in 38 states, including many of the states bordering Alabama. Lawmakers openly acknowledge that Alabamians are already participating, just not at home. Estimates from the Alabama Department of Revenue suggest a lottery alone could generate hundreds of millions annually, with casinos and electronic gaming pushing totals well beyond that.
Still, opposition remains powerful. Groups such as ALFA and ALCAP continue to argue that expanded gambling would increase addiction and financial hardship. Others say the issue lacks true grassroots urgency. Pollsters and strategists are divided on whether gambling will motivate voters in 2026 or get drowned out by concerns like the economy, infrastructure, and education.
With a new governor to be elected and national midterms looming, the lottery remains what one Democrat called an “ever-dangling, never consumed carrot.” For now, Alabama voters appear set to watch other states collect the revenue while the door at home stays closed yet again.
Players trust our reporting due to our commitment to unbiased and professional evaluations of the iGaming sector. We track hundreds of platforms and industry updates daily to ensure our news feed and leaderboards reflect the most recent market shifts. With nearly two decades of experience within iGaming, our team provides a wealth of expert knowledge. This long-standing expertise enables us to deliver thorough, reliable news and guidance to our readers.
Latest News
