This week, State Sen. Merika Coleman (D-Birmingham) filed SB257, a constitutional amendment that would establish a statewide lottery and legalize in-person casino-style games and in-person and online sports wagering.

Under the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, the Legislature has no power to authorize lotteries or gift enterprises for any purposes, this bill would propose an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.

If the Legislature approves it by the required supermajority, the proposal would go to Alabama voters at a statewide election set under the constitutional amendment process.

Coleman’s bill would also establish a commission in the executive branch to license and regulate gaming activity. The Legislature would decide membership and powers of the commission and also establish a law enforcement division within the commission to police any unlawful gaming activity.

It also gives the Governor the authority to negotiate a tribal state compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians for the operation and regulation of class three games and sport wagering on lands held by them.

The issue of gaming in the state has a long history, and in 2024, it only fell one vote short of passing the Senate.

Recently, both Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) and Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) expressed doubts that there would be successful gaming legislation in this legislative session.

The 2024 legislative session heavily featured gaming as one of the main issues.

The key difference for the 2024 gaming legislation and the 2026 one is that in 2024 it was a multi-bill package with the first bill being the Constitutional Amendment and the second bill serving as the implementation framework for how gaming would operate in Alabama.

In 2024 Governor Kay Ivey voiced her support for gaming legislation saying, “Now is the time for Alabama voters to have another say”

Gaming legislation was also introduced during the 2025 session but made little progress after being filed late while budget negotiations were ongoing.

The current bill filed in the Senate is simply a proposed constitutional amendment.

The last time Alabamians voted on gambling was 1999, when they rejected a lottery proposed by then-Gov. Don Siegelman.

Since then, multiple lottery bills have failed to advance as lawmakers clashed over whether to include casinos and electronic gambling machines.

Sawyer Knowles is a capitol reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].