SB310 Alabama 2021 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Del Marsh
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2021
Title: Gaming, legislative intent, definitions, provided, Alabama Gaming Commission powers and duties, further provided, advisory board created to the commission, distribution of funds to the Gaming Trust Fund
Summary: SB310 creates the Alabama Gaming Commission to regulate and supervise the state’s gaming activities (education lottery, bingo, raffles, sports wagering, and casino-style games), with an advisory board, licensing rules, enforcement, and a Gaming Trust Fund to manage proceeds.
What This Bill Does
It establishes a seven-member Alabama Gaming Commission with defined appointment sources, eligibility rules, and open meetings requirements; it also creates an Advisory Board to guide the commission. It sets licensing, floor plan approval, and contract rules for casino-style games and sports wagering, including management services providers and competitive bidding for licenses at covered locations. It creates a Gaming Enforcement Division, outlines enforcement powers and penalties, and establishes reporting, audits, and open records rules. It imposes taxes on net gaming revenues and sports wagering, with proceeds going to the Gaming Trust Fund and allocations to state, county, and local governments, plus dedicated funds for information technology, broadband, health, mental health, and infrastructure; tribal exemptions are preserved except as included in tribal-state compacts.

Who It Affects
General public/residents of Alabama, who would be protected by consumer safeguards, responsible gaming requirements, and age restrictions related to casino-style games and sports wagering.
Gaming industry stakeholders (covered operators, management services providers, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, and local governments) who would be licensed, taxed, monitored, and subject to rules, reporting, and funding distributions.

Key Provisions
Creates the Alabama Gaming Commission with seven members appointed by Governor, House Speaker, Senate Minority Leader, Senate President Pro Tempore, Lieutenant Governor, and House Minority Leader; sets qualifications, terms, diversity goals, and open meetings.
Forms the Alabama Gaming Commission Advisory Board with specified members from law enforcement, Attorney General, CPA, gaming law expert, sheriffs, tribal gaming experts, and several state agencies to advise on regulation and administration.
Establishes an Enforcement Division and authorizes cooperation with the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency and sheriffs; grants investigative and inspection powers and requires background checks for applicants.
Establishes licensing for casino-style games and sports wagering, including a competitive bidding process for covered locations; sets minimum bid amounts for various counties and initial license terms (10 years, extendable to 30 with capital investments).
Requires management service contracts to be written, approved by the commission, and non-transferable without approval; imposes a $100,000 nonrefundable management services license/fee and deposits into the Gaming Trust Fund.
Imposes civil penalties up to $100,000 and criminal penalties for false statements and bribery-related offenses; provides hearings, appeals, and legal processes for license actions.
Imposes taxes on net gaming revenues (27% for slot/electronic games; 35% for other casino-style games) and 20% of sports wagering net revenue; distributes proceeds to the Gaming Trust Fund, counties, municipalities, and then General Fund/Alabama Trust Fund as specified.
Creates the Gaming Trust Fund to fund commission operations, IT/broadband projects, health and mental health services, infrastructure, and grant programs via ADECA; includes annual reporting of revenues and expenditures.
Defines tribal and federal law considerations, including exemptions for Poarch Band of Creek Indians lands except where covered by tribal-state compacts; allows interstate and intrastate activity consistent with federal law.
Requires floor plans for casino-style games/sports wagering locations, customer rules of play, and clear posting of wagering limits; mandates data and records retention and annual audits by a CPA.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Gaming