Senate Bill 257 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Gaming; state lottery and other gaming activities, authorized by general law; gaming commission, authorized to license and regulate gaming activities; Governor, authorized to negotiate Tribal-State gaming compact, constitutional amendment

Summary

SB257 would amend Alabama’s constitution to authorize a state lottery, casino-style gaming, and sports wagering (in person and online), create a state gaming commission to regulate them, bar new local gaming amendments, and allow a tribal-state compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

What This Bill Does

If approved, it would let the Legislature set up a state lottery and permit casino-style games and sports wagering. A new Gaming Commission would license and regulate all these activities and have a division to enforce the laws. It would block future local amendments about gaming and empower the Governor to negotiate a Tribal-State compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, with federal review. Any new form of gaming beyond those listed would require a three-fifths vote in both chambers, and the compact process could include a limited waiver of Alabama’s federal-court immunity for disputes under the compact (with tribal consent).

Who It Affects

• Alabama residents who could participate in the state lottery, casino-style games, and sports wagering (online and in-person).
• Gaming operators and potential tribal partners (such as the Poarch Band of Creek Indians) who would be licensed, regulated, and possibly enter into a tribal-state compact.

Key Provisions

• Authorize an official state lottery, casino-style games at licensed locations, and sports wagering in-person or online; allow other gaming forms with a three-fifths vote in both houses.
• Create a Gaming Commission in the executive branch to license/regulate all gaming activities and include a law enforcement division to police unlawful gaming.
• Prohibit any new local constitutional amendments relating to gaming.
• Authorize the Governor to negotiate a Tribal-State compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians for Class III games and sports wagering on trust lands, with federal review and a contingent waiver of the state’s immunity to federal-court disputes.
• Provide for constitutional numbering/clean-up by the Code Commissioner and other nonsubstantive formatting updates.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Gaming