HB356 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kelvin LawrenceRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Town of White Hall, charitable bingo, authorize to conduct pari-mutuel wagering on simulcast horse and dog races

Summary

HB356 would let White Hall’s town council authorize licensed charitable bingo operators to offer pari-mutuel wagering on televised simulcast horse and greyhound races.

What This Bill Does

The town council can grant licenses for pari-mutuel wagering on simulcast races. It must set rules for how such wagering is conducted, especially for races shown from outside Alabama, and limit the council’s revenue to specific wagering fees. The bill also allows, under federal law and contracts, limited out-of-state wagering, while keeping all wagering outside licensed facilities illegal and maintaining existing state gambling laws.

Who It Affects

• Licensees authorized to conduct charitable bingo by the White Hall town council, who may also offer pari-mutuel wagering on simulcast races under council rules.
• Bettors at the licensee facilities (and, if permitted by federal law and contracts, bettors at outside locations) who place pari-mutuel bets on televised horse or greyhound races.

Key Provisions

• The council may authorize a licensee to conduct pari-mutuel wagering on televised simulcast horse and greyhound races.
• The council must adopt rules governing such wagering, including the handling of simulcast programming from out-of-state tracks and revenue limits (only specified wagering fees) to the council.
• If allowed by federal law and contracts with the racetrack operator, wagering may occur for events televised to a council facility from outside the state, with pools possibly limited to in-state bets or including out-of-state bets, administered under council rules.
• The act does not authorize off-track betting or gambling outside the licensed facility; all other laws prohibiting wagering remain in effect.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and governor approval.

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

Subjects

Lowndes County