HB336 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John W. Rogers

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

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

The bill would create a state agency to regulate and tax sports wagering in Alabama and allow licensed facilities to offer wagering on professional, collegiate, and other events.

What This Bill Does

It would establish the Alabama Sports Wagering Commission to license and regulate sports wagering, create four license types (operator, supplier, management services provider, and occupational), and set licensing fees. It would impose a 10% tax on adjusted gross sports wagering receipts, create the Alabama Sports Wagering Fund to pay for administration and public college scholarships, and allow cross-border wagering through agreements with other governments. It would also establish penalties, require background checks and audits, set age and location rules, and exempt wagering on sports from Alabama’s criminal gambling statutes under certain conditions.

Who It Affects

• Adult Alabama residents and visitors who would be able to place legally regulated sports wagers at licensed gaming facilities or via approved digital platforms (21+ with identification and location rules).
• Licensed gaming facilities and related businesses (parimutuel facilities, operators, suppliers, and service providers) that would obtain licenses, pay fees and taxes, maintain records, and comply with regulatory requirements.

Key Provisions

• Creates the seven-member Alabama Sports Wagering Commission with members appointed by the Governor, Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and Chief Justice; initial appointments within 60 days and a diversity mandate.
• Authorizes four license types—operator, supplier, management services provider, and occupational—and sets licensure requirements, fingerprints/background checks, 21+ eligibility, and fees (including up to seven operator licenses; $100,000 application/renewal for operators; $1,000 application/renewal for suppliers and management services).
• Imposes a 10% tax on adjusted gross sports wagering receipts, with weekly tax payments and deposits into the Sports Wagering Fund; licenses and fees fund administrative costs and public college scholarships.
• Creates the Sports Wagering Fund and allocates up to 15% of deposits to fund operations; surplus beyond $250,000 is paid to the State Treasurer and deposited back as net profit for scholarships.
• Allows sports wagering agreements with other governments to enable cross-border wagering, with rules on revenue sharing, licensing, and regulatory alignment; requires agreements to include specified provisions.
• Establishes civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation and criminal penalties for unauthorized wagering; permits forfeiture of property related to violations.
• Exempts wagering on professional, collegiate, and amateur sports from Alabama’s criminal gambling statutes; allows for regulatory controls and uniform enforcement.
• Requires internal controls, monitoring systems, signage, responsible gaming messaging, and location-based wagering limits; mandates audits, bond requirements, and license display at facilities.
• Gives Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency exclusive jurisdiction over offenses on licensed facility grounds; requires coordination with the commission for law enforcement support.
• Includes an effective date of three months after passage; notes related constitutional exemptions for local funds requirements under Amendment 621.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Gambling