Content on this page may include affiliate links. If you click and sign up/place a wager, we may receive compensation at no cost to you.
Alabama senator vows to file potential constitutional amendment authorizing a state lottery
Alabama Sen. Merika Coleman shared that she plans to bring forward a proposal that could expand legal gaming in the state during the current session.
The 2026 legislative session in Alabama will see a proposal to expand gaming in the state from its limited presence, as Sen. Merika Coleman has committed to filing a presumptive amendment to the Alabama Constitution toward that end. Broader support for advancing the proposal to voters seems more tenuous in that chamber than in the Alabama House of Representatives, especially given the higher threshold for progressive constitutional amendments.
Coleman discusses forthcoming lottery proposal
Alabama is one of the most restrictive states when it comes to gaming. Not only are there no legal pathways for the best online casinos, but there are also no licensed, robust brick-and-mortar casinos, no legal ways to bet on sporting events, no licensed racetracks, and not even a state lottery. That makes games like real money blackjack online non-existent without legislation.
Coleman wants to give voters in the state a way to change that. According to Mary Sell of Alabama Daily News, the senator is taking on the mantle of gaming expansion proponent for 2026.
"I have a clean lottery bill that I am very excited about. It's lottery and gaming," Coleman said. "I think the people of the state of Alabama should have the opportunity to vote yes or no, do we want this in the state of Alabama."
In Alabama, amendments to the state constitution must receive a supermajority vote in favor of the proposals in both chambers of the state legislature. Following this, a simple majority of the state's registered voters must express their support in a dedicated referendum.
Coleman states that her aim is to keep the question before voters very simple.
"This is about letting the very smart and intelligent people of Alabama to say yes or no, we want this in our state," she added.
Currently, the only legal forms of gaming available within Alabama's borders are charitable bingo facilities. Expanding that landscape has been fraught with competing interests in previous years, which has made bringing the fastest payout online casinos and other gaming options to Alabama difficult.
Shortened session, competing interests complicate Coleman's prospects
In Alabama, the state legislature has a shortened session in even-numbered years to accommodate members' reelection efforts. Coleman is facing a time crunch to garner support for her plan in Montgomery, as the current term is nearly one-third over.
In previous sessions, factions potentially impacted by gaming expansion in Alabama have either supported or opposed various proposals. In 2024, for example, a potential constitutional amendment fell one vote short of moving onto voters in the Alabama Senate after getting necessary support in the Alabama House of Representatives.
Behind the narrow failure in that vote were concerns that the only federally recognized tribe within Alabama's borders, the Poarch Creek Indians, would not receive an equal opportunity to offer gaming to Alabamans. In previous terms, operators of bingo halls in Alabama have opposed proposals.
Coleman's amendment could sidestep some of those concerns by taking a minimalist approach to gaming expansion in the amendment process, leaving the legislature to iron out exactly what gaming in the state would look like after being empowered to do so by the amendment. However, Alabama residents should not expect that it will include chances to redeem iGaming bonuses like the Golden Nugget Casino promo code.
The broad language in Coleman's proposal may garner support or raise questions among voters and lawmakers. Either way, time is drawing short for Coleman to address those concerns.
