Alabama currently has five casinos but only one is near Mobile, however there are nine large casinos only an hours drive away in Biloxi Mississippi. This guide has reviews on the top casinos near Mobile AL. Also shown are the casino floor size in square feet and the miles from Mobile with drive time. Indian casinos in Alabama have been making money like no others across the nation, a gambling industry study shows. Revenues for Poarch Creek Indian Gaming grew 61 percent in 2010, giving Alabama. Alabama casinos are primarily bingo casinos which are run by Native Americans. Since there is no legalized gambling as such in the state of Alabama, casinos can only be run on Native American land. The revenue from the Alabama casinos, as a result, is not taxed by the state of Alabama, since Native American tribes own them.
Alabama might not be the first state you think of when you think of gambling and casinos. You probably do know that it's the 'Heart of Dixie,' though.
As it turns out, Alabama does have a casino scene, and in this post, I'm going to reveal some of the secrets about the Alabama casino scene you might not know about.
An Overview of the Alabama Casino and Gambling Scene
Alabama's probably never going to compete with Nevada or even Oklahoma in terms of casinos, but the state does boast three Native American casinos and a racino with parimutuel betting. The only kind of gambling you can do at these casinos, though, is via Class II gambling machines.
And, Alabama is one of the only six states in the Union without a state lottery.
It's illegal for an individual to own a Class III slot machine, but individual collectors are allowed to legally own Class II slot machines.
Go figure.
Class II Slot Machines in Alabama and How They Work
What's a Class II gambling machine?
A traditional slot machine has a random number generator that creates the outcomes on the screen in front of you. (If it's an old-fashioned machine, the RNG generates the reel symbols on the reels.) Actual mechanical slot machines no longer operate in casinos anywhere in the United States that I know of.
Each slot machine has its own RNG. It's just a computer program that thinks of thousands of numbers per second. When you hit the spin button or pull the lever, that program stops on whatever number it's thinking of at that instant.
And each of those numbers corresponds to a combination of reel symbols. The payouts are based on how likely a specific set of reel symbols is to occur on a payline. The payout is always less than the probability of getting that result.
Here's an example:
If you have a 1 in 5 probability of getting a specific combination, it's probably going to pay off at even money or 2 for 1 instead of the 5 to 1 that would make it a break-even bet.
Those kinds of slot machines are called Class III slot machines. That's a legal distinction because different states have different laws about what kinds of gambling are allowed and which aren't.
Class II slot machines duplicate the visible action of a traditional slot machine but does so within the letter of the law. Class II gaming, basically, just refers to bingo games – whether they're electronic or not.
When these laws were first passed, this led to a rise in how common bingo halls were in states where Indian gaming had become popular. Then someone realized that if you used a bingo algorithm to power the results on a game that looked like a slot machine, you could stay legal and make more money.
But what's happening behind-the-scenes is that you're playing an electronic bingo with at least one other player in a centralized computer system. The outcome of this electronic bingo game determines your payout on the 'slot machine.'
Class II slot machine games offer basically the same odds as Class III slot machines, they just use a different mechanism to determine the outcomes. One of the best analogies is that Class II bingo resembles playing a scratch-and-win lottery ticket.
One thing to beware of, though – Class II 'video poker' games aren't really video poker at all. They don't mimic the odds you'd find in a deck of cards, and the decisions you make during play are essentially meaningless.
And, since making meaningful decisions is the whole point to real money video poker, you can't really justify playing Class II video poker games.
Victoryland Is the Largest Casino in Alabama
VictoryLand is more than just a casino. It also offers a race betting and a hotel. It's located in Shorter, Alabama. The casino has an interesting history.
In 2010, they were forced to close their casino, restaurant, and hotel. A federal probe into 'gambling improprieties' prompted the arrest of Victoryland's owner, Milton McGregor, and 10 state senators and lobbyists. Charges included bribery, conspiracy, and honest services fraud.
In 2012, McGregor was acquitted of all charges, but Alabama's Attorney General, Luther Strange, insisted that the electronic bingo machines on the site were illegal.
In 2013, the state seized over a quarter million dollars in cash and over 1500 gambling machines.
But in 2015, the courts found that it was unusual and inappropriate that the state's Attorney General was only taking action against Victoryland and not the other Alabama land based casinos which were operating in the same manner.
The casino reopened (again) in 2016 with over 500 gambling machines.
Victoryland now has over 1000 gambling machines on its gaming floor, and the casino is open 24/7.
The Wind Creek Casinos Are the Other Casinos in Alabama
Besides Victoryland, you'll find casino-style gambling at three other casinos in Alabama, all of which are named 'Wind Creek Casino.' These include:
- Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Atmore
- Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Montgomery
- Wind Creek Casinos & Hotel Wetumpka
The biggest of these is Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Wetumpka, which offers 2500+ gambling machines. They claim to offer the highest payouts in the Southeast on their website, but that sounds like marketing-speak to me. (The state of Alabama doesn't require any of the casinos there to publish return-to-player percentages.)
Like most Vegas-style casinos, Wind Creek Casinos & Hotel Wetumpka has a robust set of promotions where they award players with rebates, free spins, cars, and travel.
Their rewards program is called Wind Creek Rewards. It's not much different from any other slots club – you can earn 'free' food, hotel stays, and concert tickets based on how much time and money you spend gambling there.
They also claim on their website that this is the 'most generous' rewards program in the Southeast – more marketing-speak.
They also have a full-service hotel and a Starbucks on site as well as a spa.
Will Alabama Have a Lottery Soon, Too?
In March, 2020, one of Alabama's legislator's put forth a lottery bill. This new law would create a paper-based lottery. The plan is for the funds to go toward Alabama's pre-kindergarten program and toward a college scholarship program. A tiny percentage of the funds would also be allocated toward problem gambling programs.
The lottery bill will need 63 votes to pass, but it has at least 70 co-sponsors. It looks likely to pass if it ever comes up for a vote, but there's no telling when that might be. At one time, they were anticipating a vote by the end of 2020, but that's uncertain.
Conclusion
Alabama gambling is not exactly on the same level as a state like Nevada or even Oklahoma.
But if you want to gamble there, you can find gambling machines in a few locations operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Or you can gamble at Victoryland.
You're limited to Class II gambling machines at these locations, though – you can't participate in any kind of table games at any of the gambling halls in Alabama.
But you can bet on dog races and horse races at the racino there.
What the impending lottery will do to the business model of these casinos is a question yet to be answered, but since 44 states – including many that have a lottery – offer both the lottery and casinos, I don't think Alabama needs to worry about their casinos going bankrupt because of the lottery.
Alabama is one of the states where we'd be most surprised to see gambling legalized. It has no state lottery, all forms of gambling are illegal, and there's no serious talk of legalizinggambling or moving toward online casinos.
Online Casinos in Alabama
There are no online casinos in Alabama, and there are no indications that it will be legalized soon. Alabama does not even have a state lottery, which often indicates an openness to other formsof betting.
The nearest online casinos will be in West Virginia, which has already approved legislation. Tennessee has approved online sports betting.
But, you can still register with a legal online casino while you're in Alabama. That means you can get the casino's bonus offers or deposit, and then play whenever you're in stateswhere it's legal (even in a layover at the airport). (Do be aware of the casino bonus's expiry date, though.)
Land-Based Casinos in Alabama
There are no casinos in Birmingham, Alabama. However, there are two Montgomery, Alabama casinos within 15 miles from that city's downtown area: Wind Creek Casino Wetumpka and Wind Creek CasinoMontgomery.
For Mobile, Alabama casinos, the closest casino would be Wind Creek Casino Atmore which is about 50 miles northeast of downtown Mobile.
The only land-based casinos in Alabama are on Native American reservations.
There are no Alabama casinos with table games. All of these casinos in Alabama offer Class II video gaming machines, which are games that look like slot machines but are bingo games. Thespinning reels are for 'entertainment purposes' only.
Types of Casinos in Alabama
The only types of casinos in Alabama are those located on Native American reservations. These are all casino hotels and have Class II video gaming machines, but no table games.
List of Land-based Casinos in Alabama
Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Montgomery Montgomery
Gambling In Alabama
The lottery bill will need 63 votes to pass, but it has at least 70 co-sponsors. It looks likely to pass if it ever comes up for a vote, but there's no telling when that might be. At one time, they were anticipating a vote by the end of 2020, but that's uncertain.
Conclusion
Alabama gambling is not exactly on the same level as a state like Nevada or even Oklahoma.
But if you want to gamble there, you can find gambling machines in a few locations operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Or you can gamble at Victoryland.
You're limited to Class II gambling machines at these locations, though – you can't participate in any kind of table games at any of the gambling halls in Alabama.
But you can bet on dog races and horse races at the racino there.
What the impending lottery will do to the business model of these casinos is a question yet to be answered, but since 44 states – including many that have a lottery – offer both the lottery and casinos, I don't think Alabama needs to worry about their casinos going bankrupt because of the lottery.
Alabama is one of the states where we'd be most surprised to see gambling legalized. It has no state lottery, all forms of gambling are illegal, and there's no serious talk of legalizinggambling or moving toward online casinos.
Online Casinos in Alabama
There are no online casinos in Alabama, and there are no indications that it will be legalized soon. Alabama does not even have a state lottery, which often indicates an openness to other formsof betting.
The nearest online casinos will be in West Virginia, which has already approved legislation. Tennessee has approved online sports betting.
But, you can still register with a legal online casino while you're in Alabama. That means you can get the casino's bonus offers or deposit, and then play whenever you're in stateswhere it's legal (even in a layover at the airport). (Do be aware of the casino bonus's expiry date, though.)
Land-Based Casinos in Alabama
There are no casinos in Birmingham, Alabama. However, there are two Montgomery, Alabama casinos within 15 miles from that city's downtown area: Wind Creek Casino Wetumpka and Wind Creek CasinoMontgomery.
For Mobile, Alabama casinos, the closest casino would be Wind Creek Casino Atmore which is about 50 miles northeast of downtown Mobile.
The only land-based casinos in Alabama are on Native American reservations.
There are no Alabama casinos with table games. All of these casinos in Alabama offer Class II video gaming machines, which are games that look like slot machines but are bingo games. Thespinning reels are for 'entertainment purposes' only.
Types of Casinos in Alabama
The only types of casinos in Alabama are those located on Native American reservations. These are all casino hotels and have Class II video gaming machines, but no table games.
List of Land-based Casinos in Alabama
Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Montgomery Montgomery
Gambling In Alabama
The Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Atmore is located in Montgomery, Alabama (in Macon county). This Native American casino has a 65,000 sq. ft. floor with over 2,200 games.The floor has separate sections for non-smokers and high-limit games, and the casino has a large bar and much-loved restaurant.
Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Atmore
The Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Atmore is located in Atmore, Alabama (in Escambia county). This is a Native American casino with over 1,700 games. There is a non-smoking section and also anarea for high-limit games.
Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Wetumpka
The Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Atmore is located in Wetumpka, Alabama (in Elmore county). Their floor has 2,500 games, with a separate section for high limit games and ano-smoking section.
Victoryland
Victoryland racetrack is located in Shorter, Alabama (Macon country). Currently, it has no live racing, but offers simulcasts and wagering for both greyhound and thoroughbred races. Itscasino floor has over 500 games.
Options For Gambling in Alabama
There has been little to change the existing legislative ban on gambling which dates as far back to the 19th century where gambling was predominantly done on steamboats. Playing in home gamesas well as social gambling settings can still be considered illegal under state law, as does friendly bets in office pools.
Alabama has some of the harshest penalties around. Simple gambling is a misdemeanor that could cost you up to three months in jail and a $500 fine for each infraction. Having a device forgambling is a felony and you will lose your voting and gun ownership rights while also having to pay $15,000 in fines.
Gambling venues within Alabama often include restaurants, buffets, as well as live entertainment. Some places offer resort-style amenities as well as areas to allow for sports betting alongsidedog and horse races.
According to the latest American Casino Guide, no public information is available regarding what slot machines payback to the public in Alabama. Unlike the casinos in Alabama, in many states,the slot machine payback statistics for that particular state's casinos are released as a matter of public record. Just click here to see a list of slot machine payback statistics for all US States.
Alabama Land-Based Casinos Map
Map
Does Florida Have Casinos
Use our interactive Casinos Map to see all casinos in Alabama.
You can easily see all casino locations by using our Alabama casinos map. To zoom in, just click the + (plus) sign in the lower right corner of the map, or to zoom out, just click the – (minus)sign in the same area.
To move the map of casinos in Alabama, click and hold down either of your mouse buttons. Then use the hand icon to drag the map in whichever direction you desire.
Each of the red icons on the map is a casino location. Just click on any red icon to see the name of the casino at that location. If you want more information on that casino, simply click againon the casino's name and it will direct you to another page with detailed information on that particular casino, including address, phone number, toll-free phone number, room rates, casinosize, dining information, games offered, availability of discounts for seniors, any special features, and a direct link to that casino's website.
Gambling Laws in Alabama
Does Alabama Have Gambling Casinos
The minimum age to gamble at casinos in Alabama is 21 and all Alabama casinos are open 24 hours. All Alabama casinos are run entirely by the Native Americans on their reservations as there isno legalized casino gambling within the state. While Alabama law has a wide definition of gambling, tribal casinos allow bingo as well as some forms of video gambling.
Table games are not legal under Alabama law, so many like to cross the Mississippi where table games are more available within the neighboring state. In 1901 Alabama defined gambling asany game for financial gain that implies an element of chance. For generations, the state has used this loose interpretation as a precedent to outlawing many popular gambling games.Interestingly enough, racing dogs and horses are exempt from the definition with the argument being that races are a game of skill, not chance.
Alabama does not have a state lottery either, nor do they participate in any national programs of a similar nature. Bingo and various raffle games are legal as they fall under charitable gaminglaws through a very strict license that implies specific conditions be met.
At this time, however, no one in Alabama has been tried or charged for participating in any online gambling.
VictoryLand
In 2010 former Governor Bob Riley formed an aggressive anti-gambling task force. That year VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor was arrested along with 10 state senators in an FBIinvestigation. Although McGregor was charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, bribery, and honest services fraud, he was acquitted on all counts. VictoryLand was shut down in 2010 butreopened in 2016.
Useful resources
The Tribal Gaming Commission: http://pci-nsn.gov/wordpress/tribal-gaming-commission/
'Governor's panel hears reports on lottery, Indian gambling compact' https://www.al.com/news/2020/05/governors-panel-to-hear-reports-on-lottery-indian-gambling-compact.html
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For more information on visiting casinos in Alabama, or for general tourism information, call the Alabama Tourism Department at (800) 252-2262, or visit their website at alabama.travel.
