Alabama is among the most limited states when it comes to gambling. The Cotton State has no commercial casinos or racinos, iGaming, sports betting, or even a state-run lottery. New legislation would implement harsher penalties for those who don’t abide by the restrictive gambling rules.
State Rep. Matthew Hammett (R-Covington) last week introduced House Bill 41. The statute seeks to increase penalties associated with various gambling-related crimes.
The measure would specify that electronic bingo games and so-called skill games, as well as historical horse racing (HHR) machines and video lottery terminals, are illegal under the Alabama Code.
Penalties for a person knowingly profiting from illegal gambling would be raised from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class C felony, the latter of which is punishable by one to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $15K. The current punishment schedule as a misdemeanor subjects those found guilty of gambling crimes with up to a year behind bars and a $6,000 fine.