Can You Play Online Poker in Alabama?

No, it is illegal to play online poker for real money in Alabama. In fact, the state has no lottery board, and no form of gambling has been legalized in Alabama. 

Consequently, Alabama online poker is considered illegal. This means residents in the state cannot play poker for real cash on any in-state sites. 

Why Not? What Are the Online Poker Laws in Alabama?

Alabama has restrictive gambling laws. Although there have been attempts in the past to change this, bills to legalize sports betting in the state are yet to be successfully passed into law. This makes it illegal to play online poker for real money in Alabama right now. 

The Alabama Criminal Code Title 13A generally prohibits gambling in Alabama. Only three physical casinos are in operation in the state, and they’re owned and operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. 

For residents of Alabama interested in playing online poker games, the only alternative available is offshore gambling sites such as Ignition and ACR Poker. These companies operate in a legal gray area, and there are, no doubt, people living in Alabama who gamble in such online casinos.

As the name suggests, offshore betting sites are not located in the United States. This means they do not fall directly under Alabama or federal jurisdiction. These sites provide various gambling services, including sports wagering, betting on horse races, poker, and other casino games. 

Although online poker players have been using offshore gambling sites for decades, MyPokerCoaching does not recommend playing on these sites. Offshore sites are not regulated by the laws of the United States. Consequently, players have no guarantees of getting their money back when they win on these platforms. Also, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be playing a fair game when you play on these sites. 

Potential Alabama Poker Sites to Launch in the Future

Poker has been popular in Alabama for many years, but the state is still to regulate online poker sites. There have been several attempts at it over the years, but so far, none have come to fruition.

It is a pretty safe bet that online poker in AL will be regulated at some point in the future, so the only real question is when. While it’s hard to give any definitive answer at this point in time, we continue to monitor the situation and will keep you updated with any important developments.

When online poker is finally legal, there are a few sites that we can expect to go live. These are all operators with a major presence in the regulated US market, and they’ll likely jump at the opportunity to expand their presence.

BetMGM Poker Alabama

BetMGM has established itself as a household name in the regulated US online poker space, and the operator will likely be among the first to stake a claim in such an attractive new market.

We expect BetMGM Poker will bring out a platform similar to that in other states like PA, MI, and NJ. A poker client powered by the PartyPoker technology offers a modern and very reliable solution for all online poker fans, even if it is not as rich in functionalities as some other platforms.

In terms of game variety, players can look forward to a nice mix of online tournaments, a wide range of cash game stakes, and, in all likelihood, BetMGM Poker’s staple SPINS – a hugely popular sit & go variation featuring a random jackpot.

It is also likely that BetMGM Poker AL will come out of the gate swinging, offering a generous welcome bonus. With what’s likely to be heavy competition in the state, all sites will look for ways to stand out, and this is generally a good thing for the players.

PokerStars Alabama

Although the company couldn’t enter the US before 2016, PokerStars has established itself as a staple name of online poker in the country, just like they have done in the global market.

Once the regulation is finally passed, the launch of PokerStars is pretty much a guarantee. This is especially true if the state passes a law with the expectation of joining the MSIGA, as the operator seems eager to take advantage of opportunities provided by interstate poker.

But even without that particular element, AL is a big enough market on its own.

What PokerStars brings to the table is the operator’s experience in organizing major online series, first and foremost. US versions of ‘COOP events have been hugely successful in all states where the site currently has a presence, and there is no reason to think Alabama would be an exception.

PokerStars also offers one of the best software solutions for desktop computers and mobile devices alike. This enhances the player experience and certainly helps push the site towards the top of the list when deciding where to play.

WSOP Alabama

The third AL poker site likely to go live as soon as legal requirements are met is WSOP.com. Right now, WSOP is the only operator present in all regulated US markets with active poker sites, and the company is on the constant lookout for expansion opportunities.

WSOP.com has one trump card that no other operators can match, which is its ability to host bracelet-awarding events and exclusive satellites to live World Series of Poker tournaments. This has helped the operator remain competitive across the country.

A launch in a new state would likely mean an exclusive bracelet series, giving players in the state great opportunities to win some WSOP silverware from the comfort of their home, and if past experience is any indicator, this is an opportunity that players jump on.

WSOP should have no problem claiming its fair share of the new market despite competitors, with the operators’ numbers surging during major live and online events.