Tuberville Ready to ‘Roll the Dice’ on Legalized Gambling Vote in Alabama

Tommy Tuberville is the hot favorite to become the next Alabama governor in this week’s midterms. And according to an interview with Alabama Public Television, his tenure could include a public vote on legalizing gambling.  

Speaking to Todd Stacy in a wide-ranging interview, Tuberville was open to the possibility of a public referendum on liberalizing the state’s gambling industry.

Alabama is one of the few U.S. states without legalized sports betting or a lottery. However, tribal casinos are available.

However, Tuberville hinted that commercial casinos, a lottery, or any formal package of gambling could get the green light subject to public vote.

Current Governor of Alabama Kay Ivey steps down in January and will have been the state’s longest continuously serving governor. Tuberville has been a senior senator in Alabama since 2021.

‘I’m Not a Gambler’

In the APTV interview, Republican hopeful Tuberville was grilled on a host of topics, including public education, data centers and gambling.

Tuberville earned the nickname “The Riverboat Gambler” during his time as head coach for Ole Miss. However, the high-risk play Tuberville attributed to his team may just be rubbing off on his attitude to gambling.

Tuberville said he “wasn’t a gambler” but added that he would be “fine” with whichever way the public voted on approving state-regulated gambling. The governor hopeful said he wouldn’t stand in the way of a positive public vote, but he won’t be promoting legislation without a complete framework “from day one”.

Tuberville’s Manifesto

• Favors public referendum on legalizing gambling
• Lottery, casinos and online gambling legislation open to vote
• Reducing income tax during his first term
• Introducing incentives to boost rural economies in Alabama

Betting Could be Discussed in 2027

Tuberville isn’t the only one to moot regulating gambling in Alabama. This month, the state’s Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter said discussions could return in the 2027 legislative session.

Ledbetter told 256 Today that he had talked with Tuberville about bringing in some sort of regulated betting. Tuberville’s opponent in the gubernatorial race Doug Jones is on the same page.

Regardless of who wins the midterms next week, it looks likely that tentative discussions will begin sometime in 2027.

However, state elections aren’t due until November 2028, the earliest time any public referendum could be held.

Tribal Wins, Sports Betting Out

Alabama has been here before, with the previous attempts to legalize gambling coming in 2024. Ultimately, HB 151 and HB 152 passed in the Senate committee and advanced to the Senate floor.

However, sports betting was removed from the measures, with tribal casinos staying on the legislature. Attempts to legalize a state lottery also failed.

Alabama now has three tribal casinos owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Gaming is still strictly limited to electronic “bingo” and slots.

Tuberville Odds-On to Win

Tuberville’s resolve to examine a public vote on gambling could be tested sooner rather than later. According to the latest prediction markets, he has a 94% probability to take the governor’s chair ahead of his Democrat rival.

However, a decision on putting a vote to the public could also be rushed. Alabamans have access to prediction market exchanges that have been coming under sustained attack in the U.S.

Criminal suits against prediction markets are stacking up across the country. Last week, Utah became the latest state to file criminal charges – this time against Kalshi.

Traditionally anti-gambling states feel violated, and in February an Alabama resident issued Kalshi with a class action lawsuit for running “illegal sports betting”. Tuberville will likely have more fights on his hand if he bags the governor’s seat this week.