If ever there was a state that’s in a constant state of change in relation to
gambling, it’s Alabama. Over the past 10 years there’s been a huge amount of
change in relation to the law and its interpretation when it comes to gaming.
Numerous court cases and appeals have been run and while you’ll be able to
find some gambling in certain casinos in the state presently, this could all
change quickly if the political leaders decide once again to flex their muscles.
The one certainty is at this time you won’t find any legal or regulated live
Texas holdem poker action anywhere in the state. Moreover, no table games are
permitted at all so this also rules out blackjack, craps, roulette and all your
other favorite luck based games. This is a real shame as there’s certainly an
appetite for these types of games in the state, but the overwhelming majority of
people and politicians seem not to want to support them at all. Based on our
experience all this results in is lost tax revenue for the state which
disappears to bordering states or internationally.
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So What Can You Play?
Bingo Slot Machines
The few exceptions to the state’s intolerance for gaming comes in the form of
class 2 bingo style slot machines and off track betting. The slots can be found
in a handful of casinos around the state. They only exist through hard fought
battles in the Supreme Court though and the green light for operators to run
these types of games only came in late 2016.
These games are presented to the player like a normal slot machine, however
they aren’t weighted or balanced to play individually, instead they’re linked to
a central computer that is running a non-stop bingo game and awarding wins to
random machines throughout the establishment. This means the reels and graphics
you see on the slot that you’re playing are purely for entertainment purposes.
This is different from class 3 slots which are like the ones you find in Las
Vegas. These are independent machines which are weighted to result in lower pay
outs in the long run and as such retain a fixed percentage, usually around 95%,
of the amount of money placed in to wager by the player.
It’s amazing that these types of games can be played in states that don’t
allow games such as poker. When you break it down what’s worse for the state, a
luck based game which is essentially hood winking the player into thinking
they’re playing a standard slot, or a skill based game which involved social
interaction, skill, some luck, and a whole lot of fun?
Most importantly in poker, the odds aren’t stacked against you mathematically
and you can win in the long run or from time to time. Unfortunately, the states
don’t see it that way and poker’s dark past is still coming back to haunt us.
Off Track Betting
Off track betting is also available in Alabama through a handful of casinos
and establishments including Victoryland. This casino, or racino, as they like
to be known as is the main protagonist in respect to taking on the state in the
Supreme Court. Whilst they have a greyhound track it’s usually dormant and they
only offer wagers on simulcast racing from around the United States.
The other three casinos in the state that offer class 3 slots are all located
on native American land and are therefore exempt from some of the state laws and
issues that face Victoryland. These are all Wind Creek casinos and are in
Atmore, Wetumpka, and Montgomery.
Based on all the issues that Victoryland went through just to offer class 3
slots, we most likely won’t see live poker in Alabama for a long time. We’ll
need some serious lobbying from players and the poker industry to make this
happen, and this will need to be sustained over several years until new
generations of lawmakers and politicians arrive in the right positions. If
you’re holding out for live poker action in the state then your best bet would
be to pack up your bags and move somewhere else, as you could be waiting a long
time.
Lottery
Unlike the hypocrisy of some other states that offer no gambling and still
allow lotteries. You can’t participate in these in Alabama either. So, if you
want to take a chance to win it all in Powerball you’ll need to cross the border
to get a ticket.
Online poker is illegal in Alabama as well, but we’ll cover it anyway. Since
being outlawed in all the US on black Friday some states have opened their own
territory locked online poker rooms to offer their residents some virtual poker
action. Alabama certainly hasn’t done this and most likely never will. The only
way you’ll be able to play online poker in Alabama is by breaking the law and
the terms and conditions of the relevant poker site by using a VPN and peer
block application, or you must wait for the game to be allowed again at the
federal level, which may happen one day, but not for quite some time.
If one day poker is allowed in casinos then this will be a huge step towards
online poker being allowed, but it’s just one step at a time in this respect and
even live play will be a long way off, and may never happen at all.
Some online casinos do offer other games for US residents, and you can sign
up to these and participate in Alabama. Although legally this is a bit of a grey
area and is most likely illegal, there’s been no record of anyone being
persecuted for doing so now. Now we certainly aren’t recommending that you jump
on Bovada or 888 Casino and play some roulette or blackjack, but we are merely
pointing out the fact that no one has been reprimanded in Alabama for doing so.
The same is true for the few online poker rooms that offer games to players
in the state. You can find a place to play Texas holdem online, but it isn’t
licensed or regulated so you have no protection.
Texas Holdem Live Options
If you live in Alabama and have no intention of leaving but still wish to sit
down at the felt and play poker every now and then you’ll need to do some
travelling. By far the best place to go for Texas holdem poker in the immediate
surrounding of the state will be Florida. Poker is still flourishing in Florida
and you’ll be able to find dozens of rooms across the state with a good variety
of games and limits running all the time.
Florida is only matched by California and Nevada when it comes to the sheer
number of rooms and players. If you don’t want to travel down to the sunshine
state, then your next best option is Mississippi. Unlike Alabama, Mississippi
has embraced the history of poker and allows casinos and poker rooms to operate.
You’ll find several good options in casinos along the Mississippi river and
elsewhere in the state. If you’re in the south of Alabama, then Biloxi is just
across the border and offers a great poker room with several games and varying
stakes.
Conclusion
While you won’t be able to play Texas holdem poker in Alabama there’s some
light at the end of the tunnel, mostly in respect to the fact you can drive for
a short amount of time and play poker in another state. As we discussed earlier,
this is a massive loss for the state in relation to missed taxes, and it never
ceases to amaze us that states still have draconian laws like this and miss out
on so much money that’s exiting the state.
With religion playing such a prominent part in the negativity towards gaming
and poker, there’ll be no change in this respect soon and poker may never happen
in the state. If you do live in Alabama and wish to play poker, make some noise
about it. You may well find that there are plenty of others out there who feel
the same way and if you join as one we just may see some changes soon. Until
then, enjoy your poker action in Florida and Mississippi.
TYPES OF CASINOS IN FLORIDA
There are three types of Florida casinos: casino boats, Indian casinos, and gaming machines at pari-mutuels in two south Florida counties.
The casino boats offer gamblers the opportunity to board ships that cruise offshore where casino gambling is legal. From the west coast the boats travel nine miles out into the Gulf of Mexico. From the East coast they travel 3 miles out into the Atlantic Ocean.
Unless otherwise noted, all Florida casino boats offer: blackjack, craps, roulette, slots and video poker. Some casinos also offer: mini-baccarat, poker, pai gow poker, three-card poker, Caribbean stud poker, let it ride, big 6 wheel, bingo and sports book.
The minimum drinking age on all boats is 21. Due to security restrictions, you must present a photo ID at all casino boats or you will not be allowed to board.
For Florida visitor information call (888) 735-2872 or visit their website at: www.visitflorida.com
INDIAN CASINOS IN FLORIDA
There are eight Florida Indian casinos. The Seminole Tribe has seven and the eighth is on the Miccosukee Tribe’s reservation.
The Seminoles signed a compact with the state that allows them to offer traditional Class III gaming machines. As part of their compact, five Seminole casinos are also allowed to offer blackjack, baccarat, mini-baccarat, three card poker, let it ride and pai gow poker.
The Miccosukee Tribe has not signed a compact and they only offer Class II gaming machines at their casino. Class II video gaming devices look like slot machines, but are actually bingo games and the spinning reels are for “entertainment purposes only.” No public information is available concerning the payback percentages on any gaming machines in Florida’s Indian casinos.
The other games allowed in all Indian casinos in Florida are: high-stakes bingo, video pull tabs and poker. All of the casinos are open 24 hours (except Big Cypress) and all offer bingo except for both Seminole Hard Rock Casinos and the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. The minimum gambling age is 18 at all Indian casinos for bingo or poker and 21 for electronic gaming machines.
PARI-MUTUEL CASINOS IN FLORIDA
There are eight pari-mutuel casinos in Florida.
In early 2005 voters in Broward County (home county of Fort Lauderdale) passed a referendum to allow slot machines at four pari-mutuel facilities within that county and all are now in operation..
In January 2008 voters in Miami-Dade County also passed a referendum permitting slot machines at four pari-mutuel facilities.
Click HERE to see a list of Florida casino slot machine payback statistics.
South Florida’s pari-mutuel facilities (as well as most pari-mutuels throughout the state), also offer poker. Admission to all casinos is free and they are allowed to be open a maximum of 18 hours per day during the week and 24 hours on the weekends and some holidays.
If you want to order a drink while playing, be aware that Florida gaming regulations do not allow pari-mutuel casinos to provide free alcoholic beverages.
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The minimum gambling age is 18 for pari-mutuel betting or poker and 21 for gaming machines.
Want to See a Map of all casinos in Florida?
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Visit our Florida casinos map page to see a detailed map showing all casinos in that state.
Online Casino Poker
Shown below is a list of all casinos in Florida. Click on a name to see a page of detailed information about that particular casino.
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