Alabama Sports Betting

TL;DR: Alabama Sports Betting at a Glance

• Legal status: Both online and retail sports betting are illegal in Alabama.
• Legislative attempts: There have been 5+ failed attempts to legalize sports betting as recent as 2023.
• Current options: Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), horse race betting, and tribal casinos.
• Why legalization has stalled: Opposition from religious and conservative groups and a lack of consensus on structuring.

Best Sportsbooks for Alabama

There are tons of online sportsbooks serving customers in Alabama, but not all are worth your time. Stick with the biggest names and most well-established brands and you’ll be in good hands. 

1. BetOnline: Best overall with extensive market coverage
2. BetAnything: Industry-leading reduced juice at -105 on major sports
3. Heritage Sports: Premium choice for sharp bettors wanting long-term value
4. BookMaker: Industry-leading betting lines and lax betting limits
5. Bovada: Most user-friendly with competitive odds and fast crypto payouts

*This site contains commercial content, and OddsTrader may be compensated for the links provided on this site.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Alabama?

No, sports betting is not legal in Alabama. That means residents won’t find any state-regulated sportsbooks, betting kiosks, or mobile betting apps operating legally within its borders. So Alabama bettors have two options: international sportsbooks or DFS platforms.

While local sportsbooks aren’t legal, Alabama bettors can still access international sportsbooks that legally accept U.S. players. These operators are licensed in international jurisdictions like Panama or Antigua and have been serving American bettors for decades. But it’s important to note that these sportsbooks are not regulated by state gaming authorities. However, they are widely used and a viable option for Alabamians looking to bet safely and smartly.

The other legitimate option is Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel.

Regulated vs Offshore Sportsbooks

There are some key differences between regulated and international sportsbooks that significantly impact your approach. Read through our list below to understand the most important factors that come with each type of betting site. 

Regulated sportsbooks…

• Have betting limits on promotions and specific markets. They can also limit how much you can wager on standard bets if you’re considered a sharp bettor.
• May not offer as many betting markets and sometimes prohibit bets on college sports.
• Tend to have less competitive odds than their international counterparts.
• Are safer options than international sportsbooks thanks to government regulations and oversight.
• Are more accessible and offer mobile apps for convenience. 

Offshore sportsbooks…

• Aren’t as restrictive when it comes to betting limits. 
• Offer a wide range of betting markets, including college sports and non-sporting bets.
• May have reduced juice or better odds on the most popular leagues.
• Are riskier options with little to no government oversight or regulations.
• Can be more difficult to navigate for inexperienced sports bettors.

There are pros and cons to each side of the coin, but online sportsbooks can be a great option as long as you know what you’re doing. Just know that there are more risks involved.

What to Expect When Betting on Sports Online

First and foremost, it’s essential to understand that online sports betting is not always as simple as it looks. If it were easy to win every bet, everyone would do it. Online sportsbooks also tend to cater more toward sharp bettors, so rookies may have a tougher time out of the gate.

With that said, as long as you go into your sports betting experience with reasonable expectations, you can still have a good time and win some money in the process.

International sportsbooks are more risky than regulated sportsbooks, and if you run into any issues with the operator, you won’t have many options available if you choose to take action against them. That’s why it’s important to stick to the most trusted and recognizable names in the industry.

But What About Mobile Sports Betting in Alabama?

Mobile sports betting is not legal in Alabama, and there are no state-regulated apps available for download. However, most international sportsbooks prioritize mobile-friendly websites and some even have dedicated apps that work seamlessly on both iOS and Android. 

How to Bet on Sports in Alabama

Sports bettors in Alabama have a few more hurdles to jump through than those in states with regulated sportsbooks, but it remains a fairly simple process. Just follow our step-by-step guide and you’ll be betting in no time. 

1. Pick Your Preferred Sportsbook

This is one of the most important steps when it comes to online sports betting. That’s because some sportsbooks are designed to cater to inexperienced bettors, while others are dominated by the veterans. So what are you hoping to get out of the experience? Do you want this to be something fun that you do every so often? Or are you trying to put in time and research to get the best value on every bet?  

2. Create An Account and Claim Your Welcome Bonus

Creating your account is a simple process that should only take a few minutes. Enter the necessary personal information and complete any verification steps. Then you can begin betting.

Before you make your first deposit, though, it’s important to check whether there are any sign-up bonuses available. Bonuses can be instrumental in helping you build your bankroll at a specific sportsbook, so don’t let it go to waste.

3. Make Your First Deposit

You’ve signed up and claimed your welcome offer. Now, it’s time to add money to your account. Some sportsbooks require that you meet a certain minimum deposit amount, but they generally accept a wide range of payment methods to make this easy.

Determine if there are any fees or specific restrictions associated with each payment method before you make your deposit. For example, cryptocurrencies are usually the fastest options and are free of fees, but they’re less secure than standard payment methods.

4. Place Your First Bet

Scroll through the available betting markets until you find an option that you like. If you’re just starting out, we recommend sticking to sports and teams that you’re most familiar with. You may know these teams better than most, which could give you a betting edge.

Once you’ve found a bet, add it to your betslip and prepare to make your wager. Enter an amount from your available balance and click “Place Bet” to lock it in. 

5. Request a Payout

Once your bet settles, you’ll find out whether it was graded as a win or a loss. If you won, congratulations! Now, it’s time to request your first payout. As is the case with deposits, you can choose from a solid range of payment methods for withdrawals.

There may be fees associated with each option, so make sure you understand the terms and conditions before making a withdrawal request. Different options will also come with different payout times. Cryptocurrency withdrawals are generally the fastest, while bank transfers could take several business days. 

Best Alabama Sportsbooks

The best Alabama sportsbooks are online betting sites with well-established roots and strong reputations. You won’t find FanDuel or DraftKings here for now, but there are still some excellent sportsbooks serving customers in Alabama.

BetOnline

As one of the best and most popular online sportsbooks, BetOnline offers something for every type of customer. Payouts are fast, odds are fair, and it offers betting markets that you won’t find at regulated betting sites. It also has an appealing design and is simple to navigate whether you’re on mobile or desktop.

Welcome Bonus: 50% deposit match up to $250 in free bets

BetAnything

Once known as BetAnySports, BetAnything launched an extensive rebrand in summer 2025 to modernize the platform and compete with other betting giants. Now, it has a cutting edge user interface to go along with top-notch features like reduced juice. It also has a casino, racebook, and online poker. 

Welcome Bonus: 150% free play bonus up to $750

Heritage Sports

Heritage Sports is one of the smaller online sportsbooks, and it’s better suited to those who are looking to play it safe with their bet sizes. It imposes more strict betting limits than its competitors, but it also offers reduced juice and bet cancellations, so it’s certainly worth trying. 

Welcome Bonus: Heritage Sports offers two welcome offers, and it will be up to you to determine which better suits your betting style.

• 100% free play bonus up to $500
• 20% cash bonus up to $500

BookMaker

Arguably the most well-established sportsbook on the market, BookMaker was founded in the mid-1980s and offers industry-standard betting lines. It also has lax betting limits and takes bets on an extensive range of markets. This book might be intimidating for new sports bettors, but it has earned its positive reputation. 

Welcome Bonus: BookMaker offers two welcome offers and it will be up to you to determine which better suits your betting style.

• 25% cash promo when depositing with credit card
• 100% free play bonus up to $400

Bovada

Perhaps the most well-known online sportsbook, Bovada is restricted in much of the United States (primarily those that have legalized sports betting) but is available in Alabama. It’s a great choice for bettors of all backgrounds thanks to its strong welcome bonus, favorable betting odds, and sharp interface. 

Welcome Bonus: Bovada offers two welcome bonuses depending on how you fund your account.

• Crypto deposit: 75% match of up to $750 for first deposits via Bitcoin
• Credit card deposit: 50% deposit match worth up to $250 for first deposits of at least $20

A Side-by-Side Comparison of Alabama Sports Betting Sites

	BetOnline	BetAnything	Heritage Sports	BookMaker	Bovada
Years Operating	24+	20+	24+	30+	14+
Payment Speed	1-24 hrs (crypto)	1-2 days (crypto)	1-3 days (crypto)	1-2 days (crypto)	1-24 hrs (crypto)
Welcome Bonus	50% deposit match	150% free play bonus	100% free play bonus OR 20% cash bonus	25% cash promo OR 100% free play bonus	75% deposit match on Bitcoin OR 50% deposit match on credit/cash
Sports Leagues	25+	20+	30+	35+	25+
Products	Sports Casino Poker Racebook	Sports Casino	Sports Casino Racebook	Sports Casino	Sports Casino Poker Racebook
Usability	Excellent	Very Good	Good	Good	Excellent

Ready to Bet in Alabama? Here’s Your Game Plan

While Alabama hasn’t legalized sports betting just yet, that doesn’t mean you’re completely shut out. Offshore sportsbooks provide a legal workaround for sports fans in the Yellowhammer State who want to get in on the action. With the right research, trusted operators, and a few smart practices, you can place bets safely and responsibly.

Whether you’re eyeing the competitive odds at BetOnline or the crypto perks at Bovada, your best bet is choosing a reliable, time-tested sportsbook. Just remember: offshore betting comes with more responsibility on your end. Always read the fine print, understand your payment options, and don’t gamble more than you’re willing to lose.

Alabama Sports Betting FAQs

There’s still a lot to learn about Alabama sports betting. Consider reading up on these frequently asked questions for more information.