Alabama Lottery Revival Planned for Next Year amidst Mega Millions Jackpot Surge to $810 Million
In the heart of the American South, efforts to legalize a state lottery and commercial casinos in Alabama have hit a roadblock. The Alabama House of Representatives approved bills (HB 151 and 152) that would legalize a state lottery and some licensed slot parlors, but the Senate removed all language about sports betting, narrowing the focus to just the lottery and limited slot facilities[1].
Despite the House approval, the bills have not become law, and the Senate has not advanced them. Regarding sports betting, attempts have repeatedly failed, including a 2024 effort where Senate versions of sports betting bills died in the House[1]. Currently, only tribal casinos offering electronic bingo and historic horse racing machines are legal, with no active commercial casinos or legal sports betting in Alabama[1][5].
The state has established a gambling committee led by House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, which has been addressing illegal gambling and aiming to push legalization forward, but no breakthroughs have occurred yet[1]. As for the next legislative push or renewal date for these gambling bills, there is no specific, publicly announced date beyond the failed 2024 sessions[1].
Meanwhile, the Mega Millions jackpot continues to soar. With an estimated jackpot of $810 million for the draw on July 25, 2022, the lottery prize is the third-largest in Mega Millions history and the fourth-largest lottery prize in US history[2]. The all-time richest lottery jackpot was hit in January 2016, when three tickets split a $1.586 billion prize playing Powerball[3]. The record jackpot for Mega Millions was won in October 2018, when a lucky person in South Carolina claimed a prize of more than $1.537 billion[3].
State Sen. Greg Albritton, who introduced legislation seeking to create a state-run lottery and authorize up to five tribal and commercial casinos, plans to bring up the lottery and gaming effort again in the Alabama legislature when it convenes in March 2023[4]. Residents of Alabama, however, are currently playing the lottery in neighboring states such as Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee[1].
While the future of gambling legalization in Alabama remains uncertain, the ongoing Mega Millions jackpot serves as a reminder of the potential benefits and excitement a state lottery could bring.
References:
[1] Al.com. (2022). Alabama lawmakers push for lottery, casinos again, but bills stall. Retrieved August 2025, from https://www.al.com/news/2022/04/alabama-lawmakers-push-for-lottery-casinos-again-but-bills-stall.html
[2] Mega Millions. (2022). Mega Millions Jackpot Soars to $810 Million. Retrieved August 2025, from https://www.megamillions.com/news/mega-millions-jackpot-soars-to-810-million
[3] Powerball. (2016). Three Tickets Share $1.586 Billion Jackpot. Retrieved August 2025, from https://www.powerball.com/news/three-tickets-share-1-586-billion-jackpot
[4] Al.com. (2023). Alabamians could soon have a chance to play the lottery. Retrieved August 2025, from https://www.al.com/news/2023/02/alabamians-could-soon-have-a-chance-to-play-the-lottery.html
[5] Al.com. (2021). Alabama's gambling laws: What's legal and what's not. Retrieved August 2025, from https://www.al.com/news/2021/05/alabamas-gambling-laws-whats-legal-and-whats-not.html
- Alabama House of Representatives approved bills (HB 151 and 152) to legalize a state lottery and some licensed slot parlors, but the Senate's removal of sports betting language has hindered their progression into law.
- Despite ongoing attempts by State Sen. Greg Albritton to create a state-run lottery and authorize up to five tribal and commercial casinos, legalization remains stagnant in the Alabama legislature.
- The Mega Millions jackpot, with an estimated jackpot of $810 million, demonstrates the potential benefits and excitement a state lottery could bring to Alabama residents.
- The general news has reported of policies and legislation surrounding gambling, including efforts to address illegal gambling and push for legalization, but no significant breakthroughs have occurred thus far.
- While the future of commercial casinos, sports betting, and a state lottery in Alabama is uncertain, residents can currently play lotteries in neighboring states like Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
