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Alabama Legislature Considers State Lottery Bill Once Again
Proposed legislation would allow Alabamians to vote on establishing a state lottery, as well as in-person casino games and sports betting.
Feb. 4, 2026 at 7:55pm
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A new bill has been filed in the Alabama legislature to create a state lottery, marking the latest attempt to bring legalized gambling to the state. The bill, sponsored by Democratic Senator Merika Coleman, would allow Alabamians to vote on whether they want the state to establish a lottery, as well as authorize in-person casino games and sports betting. While details on revenue allocation are still unclear, the bill's sponsor says the focus is simply on giving residents the opportunity to decide on the issue.
Why it matters
Alabama is one of only five states without a state lottery, and the issue has been debated in the legislature for years without success. This latest effort reflects ongoing public interest in expanding legal gambling options, though past bills have faced resistance from some lawmakers.
The details
The new bill, filed by Senator Merika Coleman, a Birmingham Democrat, would allow Alabamians to vote on whether they want the state to establish a lottery. The legislation would also authorize in-person casino games and both in-person and online sports betting, though it does not specify where any potential revenue would be directed. Coleman says the focus is simply on letting residents decide on the issue, rather than the specifics of how a lottery would be implemented.
- The bill has been filed in the current legislative session.
- Similar lottery bills have been proposed in Alabama's legislature in nearly every prior session, but have failed to pass.
The players
Merika Coleman
A Democratic state senator from Birmingham who is the primary sponsor of the latest bill to create a state lottery in Alabama.
Greg Albritton
A Republican state senator who has filed his own lottery bills in the past, and believes the public cares more about having the right to decide on the issue than the specific details of how it would be implemented.
What they’re saying
“I'm one of those people that may go drive across the state line to get a ticket, and you see nothing but Alabama tags there.”
— Merika Coleman, State Senator
“Regardless of how it's designed. Regardless of who controls what, regardless of how the money is divided, I don't think the public cares about that so much. They just think they have the right to determine this opportunity.”
— Greg Albritton, State Senator
What’s next
If the bill is passed by the legislature, it would then go to a public vote for Alabamians to decide whether to establish a state lottery.
The takeaway
Alabama's long-running debate over a state lottery continues, with this latest legislative effort reflecting ongoing public interest in expanding legal gambling options, even as past bills have faced resistance. The focus of the current proposal is simply on giving residents the chance to vote on the issue, rather than the specifics of how a lottery would be implemented.
