HB237 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Jan 14, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Kelvin LawrenceRepresentative
Democrat
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Lowndes County, pari-mutuel wagering on simulcast past events and live horse and dog races under certain conditions; tax levied; distribution of revenue, provided
Summary: HB237 would allow the Town of White Hall in Lowndes County to license pari-mutuel wagering on simulcast past events and live horse and dog races, with taxes collected and distributed to local government and the council.
What This Bill Does
If enacted, the town council could authorize a licensed facility meeting size and existence requirements to conduct pari-mutuel wagering on simulcast past events and live races. The bill sets tax rates on wagering, directs how tax revenue is distributed to local government entities and charities, and allows rules to govern how simulcast wagering is conducted (including cross-state wagering under certain conditions). It also maintains that wagering outside the approved facility and jurisdiction is not authorized and preserves other state gambling laws. The effective date is after the governor signs the bill and it becomes law.

Who It Affects
Lowndes County government entities (Lowndes County Commission and Lowndes County Board of Education) by receiving specified portions of tax revenue from wagering.
Licensees operating the wagering facility and bettors who place bets, who would be subject to licensing, council rules for simulcast wagering, and applicable taxes.

Key Provisions
The council may authorize a licensee to conduct pari-mutuel wagering on simulcast past events and live horse and dog races at a qualifying White Hall facility.
The council must adopt rules governing simulcast programming and the conditions under which events from outside the state may be transmitted for public viewing and wagering.
Tax provisions: licensed wagering would pay a tax equal to four percent of total contributions minus prizes (subject to possible adjustment but not exceeding four percent); historical wagering would incur a one-percent tax.
Revenue distribution: 20% to the Lowndes County Commission, 20% to the Lowndes County Board of Education, and 60% to the council (with 10% of the council’s share available to other Lowndes County municipalities; council may also distribute funds to approved county charities).
Cross-state simulcasting is allowed only under federal law and contractual arrangements with racetrack operators; wagering pools may be limited to local bets or include bets from outside the state, with administration rules applying to combined pools.
The act clarifies that nothing here authorizes off-track betting or gambling outside the approved facility and jurisdiction, and existing laws outside this act remain in effect.
Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after 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