Alabama Sports Betting Apps: Sportsbooks, Latest News

Alabama Sports Betting Apps may soon be on the way for the Yellowhammer State, as members of the Alabama house recently advanced a pair of gambling bills that include the legalization of sports betting. The 2 bills, similar to bills that have failed in the past, eclipsed the 60% necessary threshold by votes of 70-32 and 67-31.

What does that mean for the Alabama sports betting hopeful? Well, there’s still a way to go, but it is undoubtedly good news and there is hope that the Alabama senate will be able to push it through to Gov. Kay Ivey, who is a proponent of the bill.

We’ll dive more into the latest news later on this page. However, now is the time to peruse some of the best sportsbook apps in the game as lawmakers push for legal status similar to Vermont and North Carolina in 2024.

Here’s a look at some quick facts for the Alabama sports betting hopeful:

When Will Alabama Sports Betting Launch? Latest Updates

Alabama has failed to push efforts of sports betting legalization through in 2019, 2020 and 2022. However, 2024 sports betting legislation has passed through the house as of mid-February, and there is a lot of reason to believe this package has some legs.

Let’s dive into the latest updates and what you need to know about the potential legalization of online sports betting in Alabama.

House Bills 151 & 152

The legislation in question that could push Alabama sports betting to be voted upon in November are House Bills 151 and 152. Bill 151 is the amendment to the Alabama state constitution (which prohibits sports betting) and 152 is the enacting legislation, proposing an Alabama gaming commission and lottery corp. while allowing up to “seven locally approved licensed gaming establishments.” Alabama is currently one of just 5 states without a state lottery.

Also included are “limited sports wagering, traditional raffles, and traditional paper bingo,” per the bill. All other forms of gambling would remain prohibited.

The bill also proposes open negotiations with the Poach Creek Band of Indians, which run the only legal tribal casinos in the state of Alabama. Obviously, there are no current commercial casinos in Alabama.

The bills both cite the loss of money from the state of Alabama and the effort to battle existing and illegal gambling practices in Alabama, such as offshore betting.

What’s next?

Alabama has an eligible gambling population of just under 4 million people as of 2024, just under 80% of the state’s total population. As more and more southern states legalize online sports betting, Alabama looks to be well on its way to becoming the next.

But there are still some steps to take. First off, the bill has to pass the Alabama senate before landing on voter cards in November 2024.

The potential revenue Alabama could gain from the legalization of sports betting is astounding. The bills propose a 17% tax on sports betting (up to 24% for casinos) and, according to the Alabama Governor’s Study Group on Gambling Policy, total annual revenue for the packages legalization could exceed $800 million.

Sports betting specifically could contribute between $10-35 million towards that number, according to the group’s findings. By the group’s own admission in the report, even these estimates are considered “very conservative.”

Brief Alabama Sports Betting Timeline

• February 2024: House Bills 151 and 152, a gambling package that includes the legalization of online sports betting, passes in the Alabama House. It will now move on to the Alabama senate.
• 2022: SB 293 and 294 are introduced, which proposed a limit of 5 licensed facilities and online sports betting only through a platform with a registered casino. Both failed.
• 2020: HB 336, another sports betting bill, fails.
• 2019: HB 315 fails, the state’s first attempt at the legalization of sports gambling.
• 2019: Daily Fantasy Sports are legalized in Alabama
• May 2018: PASPA is struck down in the Supreme Court, allowing states to establish the ability to regulate online sports betting.

Expected Alabama Sports Betting Apps

Sports betting in the south is picking up steam, that much is for sure. Should Alabama HB 151 and 152 progress as hoped, some of the top sportsbooks in the country are sure to pounce on the opportunity for passionate sports fans.

Here’s a look at the expected sportsbooks and some quick facts about each to keep you prepared for potential legalization in Alabama.

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings (and FanDuel) come to mind when you think sports betting in the United States. The online betting giant is the definition of impressive, with an impressive collection of ways to play, accurate lines, a friendly user experience and one of the best welcome offers in the business.

Those in legal states can take advantage of a No-Sweat First Bet up to $1K in value. What’s a No-Sweat First Bet? Think of it as a free play when the QB gets a defensive lineman to jump. You can bet up to $1K and if your bet wins, you keep the winnings.

However, if your bet loses, you’ll receive your original wager back to your account in the form of non-withdrawable bonus bets.

The minimum deposit for DraftKings in legal states is $5. DraftKings’ mobile app is available on the App Store and the Google Play Store. DraftKings Alabama should be coming soon!

FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel is the other name that is nearly synonymous with sports betting in the United States. FanDuel is well known for its incredible user interface, which makes finding your specific bet or line that much easier.

At the same time, FanDuel is well-known for its daily fantasy sports and is one of the top options for fantasy games, which are legal in the state of Alabama as of 2024.

FanDuel’s welcome offer is generic, but still of excellent value. New users in legal states can take advantage of a Bet $5, Get $150 in bonus bets offer, which deposits $150 worth of bonus bets into a new user’s account for any wager of $5 or more!

BetMGM Sportsbook

BetMGM may have the best promotions of any sportsbook on this list. Every day, there are numerous boosts and more to choose from to make your wager that much more exciting. On top of that, BetMGM’s loyalty program is second only to perhaps Caesars.

New users in legal states can take advantage of a Bet $5, Get $150 welcome offer by signing up with BetMGM today!

Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars sportsbook’s user interface is incredible, and Caesars by far has the best loyalty program of any major sportsbook in the U.S. It gives you the opportunity for bonus cash through rewards credits. In short, the more you play, the more free stuff you can earn.

Caesars sportsbook has impressive lines and an easy-to-understand layout, too. New users in legal states can take advantage of a $1,000 bonus bet should their first bet fail!

bet365 Sportsbook

bet365 is the new kid on the block, but already making its mark on the sports betting world. It is currently available in 9 states and climbing: Colorado, New Jersey, Kentucky, Arizona, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, Virginia and Ohio. Bet365 also recently partnered with the Charlotte Hornets for North Carolina’s upcoming launch on March 11, 2024!

New users who sign up with bet365 in legal states can take advantage of one of 2 great offers: A First-bet Safety Net of up to $2,000 or a Bet $5, Get $150 in bonus bets promotion.

Already in a legal state and looking to take advantage of any of the offers you’ve read about above? We’ve got you covered.

Click any of the links below, follow through with registration and you’re all set! Remember, you must be in a legal betting state to take advantage. Good things come to those who wait, Alabamans.

Alabama Teams To Bet On

Unfortunately, Alabama is one of 21 states that does not have a single team from the 4 major sports leagues (NBA, MLB, NFL and NHL.) It’s the second-most populous state without a team, behind only Virginia.

In all likelihood, the reason for this is that it lacks a major city. Birmingham is the best option, and it’s hard to beat out the other markets across the country when each league only has about 30 teams, give or take.

But that doesn’t stop the state from being as sports-friendly as ever. Why? Well, this is Saturday Down South after all. You should already know the answer. It’s college sports!

Alabama and Auburn are 2 of the bigger brands in college sports, especially so for the Crimson Tide. That’s thanks to the legendary Bear Bryant and Nick Saban, who built Alabama into the powerhouse that is just about synonymous with the term “college football.”

Here’s a look at other teams in Alabama you could bet on if HB 151 and 152 gain traction in the Alabama senate:

• UAB Blazers
• Alabama State Hornets
• Samford Bulldogs
• Jacksonville State Gamecocks
• Alabama A&M Bulldogs
• North Alabama Lions
• South Alabama Jaguars

Ways to Bet on Sports

Some Alabama sports fans interested in sports betting may not know how to even start. There are all sorts of terms that may seem daunting to the new user. If HB 151 and 152 continue to push through Alabama’s senate and onto a ballot as some expect, here’s a brief guide on some of the terms and ways to play.

Moneyline

Probably the most direct way to wager is by placing a Moneyline bet. Moneyline bets simply represent the outright winner of the game. Favored teams will have (-) odds, while underdog teams will be represented by (+) odds. Alabama football will almost always have a (-), folks.

But let’s play with some hypotheticals. A $100 wager on an Alabama Crimson Tide Moneyline at (+150) odds would return a $150 profit if the Tide win the game. On the other hand, a $150 wager on the Tide Moneyline at (-150) odds would return a $100 profit in the event of an Alabama win.

Point Spread

Another fan-favorite way to wager is by playing the Point Spread. The Point Spread represents the difference (handicap) that the oddsmakers have set between the two teams. With Point Spreads, favored teams will be giving (-) points, while the underdog teams will be getting (+) points.

To give an example, if you bet on Auburn -7 vs. Missouri, you will need the Tigers to win the game by at least eight points to cash your bet. On the flip side, if you bet on Auburn +7.5 vs. Georgia, you will need the Tigers to either win the game outright or lose by no more than seven points to cash your ticket. Point Spread bets that end in a tie are considered a “push” and the user is refunded.

Over-Under Total

For users with less of a rooting interest in either of the two teams, the Over-Under Total might be a great way for you to bet. That’s because the Over-Under Total combines the scores of both teams to see whether it falls over or under the pre-game total number set by the oddsmakers. Over-Under Total bets that end in a tie are considered a “push” and the user is refunded.

Futures

With a Futures bet, users can call their shot long in advance and score longer odds in the process. Futures bets are a very popular bet type to place pre-season, as these odds markets update to reflect the ongoing status of the team/player in question. During football season, some of the popular Futures bet types include:

• Team to win the Super Bowl
• Team to win Division
• Team to win Conference
• Team to Make Playoffs
• Most Valuable Player (MVP)
• Offensive/Defensive Player of the Year
• Rookie of the Year
• Team to win the College Football Playoff
• Team to win the SEC
• Heisman trophy winner

Player Props

Have a rooting interest in a particular player in the game? Player Props could be a great way for you to bet. That’s because Player Props pertain to only the statistics of individual players (regardless of team win/loss outcome). During football season, some of the popular Player Prop bets include:

• First Touchdown scorer
• Anytime Touchdown scorer
• Passing Touchdowns/yards/completions over-under
• Receiving Touchdowns/yards/completions over-under
• Rushing Touchdowns/yards/completions over-under
• Interceptions over-under
• Sacks over-under
• Field goals made 0ver-under

Parlay

Of course, it wouldn’t be a betting tutorial without mentioning Parlays. Arguably the most lucrative way to wager, Parlay bets allow users to stack together multiple betting lines onto one ticket for multiplied odds. Two legs, three legs, four legs, and more, craft your wager and potentially win big..

While Parlay betting is very attractive, it also comes with a heightened chance of losing. That’s because, with a Parlay bet, users need to win each individual bet on the ticket in order for the Parlay to cash. If any of the legs on a Parlay bet ends in a tie, that leg is considered a “push” and is voided from the ticket.

Same-Game Parlay

In addition to traditional Parlays, there has been a recent surge in popularity of the Same Game Parlay. This bet type is pretty self-explanatory, as users have the ability to stack together multiple betting lines from within one game. Then, rather than having to track their numerous wagers across multiple games, users can lock in on just one game.

Deposit/Withdrawal methods

Below is a helpful table of some of the most popular ways to deposit and withdraw cash from sportsbook apps around the country. If (when?) online sports betting is legalized in Alabama, be sure to check back here for reference!

In addition, users in legal states can usually take advantage of other methods such as Play+, VIP Preferred (e-check) or a wire transfer.

Ethan Stone

Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Down South.