HB315 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John W. Rogers

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Sports wagering, Alabama Sports Wagering Commission, created, commission to issue licenses, authorize sports wagering agreements with other governments, Sec. 13A-12-31 am'd.

Summary

Alabama would legalize and regulate sports wagering through a new Alabama Sports Wagering Commission that licenses operators, taxes receipts, and uses the funds for administration and scholarships.

What This Bill Does

It would permit wagering on certain professional and college sports and create the Alabama Sports Wagering Commission to regulate it. It would authorize four license types (operator, supplier, management services, and occupational), set licensing rules and fees, and require background checks and displays of licenses. It would tax adjusted gross sports wagering receipts at 10% and deposit proceeds into the Sports Wagering Fund to pay for administration and public college scholarships, with additional provisions for cross-government wagering agreements and enforcement penalties. It would also establish criminal and civil penalties for violations and create property forfeiture provisions, while exempting wagering on sports from Alabama’s criminal gambling statutes.

Who It Affects

• Residents of Alabama aged 21 and older who choose to place bets on sports, who would participate under a regulated framework (at licensed facilities or approved digital platforms) and be subject to rules, limits, and taxes that fund state programs and scholarships.
• Gaming facilities and related businesses (operators, suppliers, management services providers, occupational licensees, and their employees) who would obtain licenses, pay fees, comply with regulatory requirements, undergo background checks, maintain records, and follow internal controls and reporting obligations.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Sports Wagering Commission with seven members and detailed appointment rules to ensure diversity across the state.
• Allows up to seven operator licenses for licensed gaming facilities, plus four license types: operator, supplier, management services provider, and occupational license.
• Imposes a 10 percent tax on adjusted gross sports wagering receipts and deposits the revenue into the Sports Wagering Fund; requires weekly tax returns and allows for carryover of negative receipts under certain conditions.
• Establishes the Sports Wagering Fund to pay commission expenses and fund scholarships for Alabama residents to attend public colleges; permits a monthly surplus transfer to the State Treasurer and limits fund operational reserves.
• Requires background checks (fingerprints) for licensees and key personnel; license display requirements; annual renewals and reporting; and minimum internal control standards.
• Requires operators to post betting limits, implement house rules, display a commission-approved logo, and ensure compliance with responsible gaming messaging.
• Authorizes sports wagering agreements with other governments, with rules governing revenue sharing, regulation, and cross-border participation.
• Creates civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation and criminal penalties for various unauthorized wagering and related offenses, including potential forfeiture of property.
• Explicitly exempts wagering on professional, collegiate, and amateur sports from Alabama’s criminal gambling statutes and sets conditions for local expenditures under constitutional provisions.
• Implements compliance and enforcement provisions, including cooperation with law enforcement and required reporting to the commission.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Gambling