House Speaker Suggests Gambling in Alabama On 2027 Agenda

Regardless of who wins the Alabama gubernatorial election in November, the state’s Speaker of the House expects he’ll be dealing with debate over gambling in Alabama again.

Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) suggested in an interview with 256 Today that gambling could return to discussions in the 2027 legislative session in the Yellowhammer State. Notably, Alabama is one of five states in the country that doesn’t even have a statewide lottery. That leaves no legal form of gambling run by the state.

The only legal gambling in Alabama exists at tribal casinos near Montgomery and Mobile. These are run by the Creek Native American tribe, which does not have a compact with Alabama. As such, the state receives no revenue from any money wagered there.

Prediction markets have also changed things in Alabama. With prediction markets currently offering a form of legal sports betting, every county in the state effectively has unregulated gambling, a fact Ledbetter acknowledged.

Ledbetter mentioned working with Republican gubernatorial candidate Tommy Tuberville to set a potential agenda. While Tuberville is favored to replace outgoing governor Kay Ivey, Democratic candidate Doug Jones has also favored bringing legal gambling to Alabama. With Ledbetter and Tuberville discussing the issue, that means the state will almost certainly discuss it next year.

Why Is Gambling In Alabama Coming Up Again in 2027?

Initially, it appeared Alabama would wait until 2028 to discuss the issue. That appeared to be the stance from the state’s governing party, as Rep. Chris Blackshear (R-Smiths Station) suggested sending the issue to Alabama voters at the next election.

To legalize gambling in Alabama, the state legislature would have to approve an amendment. It would then need to go to the voters, which would happen at the next election. There are no elections scheduled for 2027 in Alabama; the state’s next election would come in November 2028.

But prediction markets might have changed the game too much for Alabama to wait. Before the rise of Kalshi, Polymarket and others, Alabama could afford to wait because of its geography. Of its four neighbors, Georgia has no gambling at all, Florida has one sportsbook and Tennessee has only online sports betting. Only Mississippi offers both online sports betting and brick-and-mortar casinos anywhere near Alabama’s borders.

However, prediction markets make it clear that Alabama residents are gambling, and the state is missing out on revenue. That might make it a priority for 2027. If that’s the case, the state would need to call for a special election for the amendment.

How Do The Candidates Differ?

Most likely, Tuberville will set the agenda in Alabama. Democrats haven’t won the governor’s mansion since 1998, when Don Siegelman won a four-year term. Jones has been more overtly pro-gambling in Alabama than Tuberville. He has favored the creation of a state lottery, which Alabama has never had.

Tuberville has mostly kept silent on policy discussions. He currently sits in the United States Senate, and has mostly stuck to discussions about his current job as opposed to the one he’s running for. Ledbetter’s comments suggest he’ll be at least neutral toward gambling in the state.

Which Candidate Is Likely to Win?

Polling has been scant in the state. In 2020, Tuberville and Jones faced off for one of Alabama’s seats in the Senate, a race Tuberville won by 22 points. But in a midterm election with a Republican in the White House, the climate won’t be as favorable for Tuberville.

The most recent poll showed Tuberville ahead 53% to 34%. But that poll came in November 2025, and the political climate has worsened for him since then. While Jones winning would represent an upset, it’s not an impossible task.

In either case, gambling in Alabama seems set for a 2027 fight.