Alabama Wrestles With Gambling Issues

There is no denying that Alabama and its legislature are among the most conservative states and legislatures in America. That is especially true when it comes to retail and online gambling, activities that are currently not legal in the state.

At a time when a large portion of the nation's states have already legalized retail casino gambling and sports betting at a minimum, Alabama is lagging. However, that does little to tell the real story. The reality is there is plenty of gambling going on in Alabama with none of it being legal.

Alabama Legislature Looking to Create Gambling Commission

In Alabama, only parimutuel wagering is legal though such activities are not supported by residents. Without a state lottery or other forms of gambling being legal, the state holds the distinction of being one of the few states to not have a gambling regulatory body. Why would they need a regulatory body if gambling is not legal in the state? According to House Representative Andy Whitt, something needs to change sooner rather than later.

At issue is the fact that Alabama residents are gambling. They are just doing it in the shadows out of the view of law enforcement. In fact, there is evidence law enforcement has little concern over the notion that residents are gambling. The problem is so rampant that small-time operations are running retail casinos, poker rooms, and accepting sports bets with little to no impunity.

In the eyes of Whitt and fellow House Representative Chris Blackshear, the time has come to face certain realities. The most stark realities are Alabama residents are gambling and the state is receiving nothing in the way of tax revenue from such activities.

In a conversation with the Alabama Daily News publication, Blackshear stated:

“We don’t need to expand gambling, it’s already here. Getting a grasp of how many of those exist is also a goal of the group. It’s unregulated, the state is getting no revenue from it and if we don’t get a handle on it now, we never will.”

Will Some Forms of Gambling Be Legalized in Alabama?

One gets the sense there is very little desire to put an end to certain forms of gambling that are ongoing in the state. All signs point to the fact that legislators like Whitt and Blackshear would rather bite the bullet, accept reality, and move forward to establish a regulatory body. That would give the state the basis for collecting much-needed tax revenue while allowing adults to be adults.

None of this is sitting well with anti-gambling groups like the Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP). Officials from the group assert that any notion of establishing a gambling commission will be solely for the purpose of legalizing gambling activities as opposed to enforcing current laws.

In the coming months, pressure will be brought to bear to do something. The legislature does need to create a gambling commission whether it be to regulate certain forms of gambling or establish a regulatory body that will go after illegal gambling activities.