Gambling Interests Pour Money Into Alabama Campaigns Ahead of Potential Future Expansion

Alabama political campaigns are receiving significant funding from out-of-state gambling interests, as industry groups position themselves for a future expansion push in one of the most restrictive gambling markets in the U.S.

Campaign finance records show that political action committees (PACs) linked to major sports betting operators and gambling stakeholders have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to state candidates.

Gambling PAC Spending Targets Alabama Lawmakers

According to a 1819 News report citing records from the Alabama Secretary of State, the Montgomery-based SV&B PAC has donated $718,500 to multiple candidates since January 2025.

During that period, the Sports Betting Alliance donated over $1.25 million to SV&B PAC. The Alliance is a gambling advocacy group representing prominent national operators, including DraftKings, FanDuel, Bet365, BetMGM, and Fanatics.

The top five recipients of SV&B PAC contributions include:

• State Sen. Jay Hovey (R-Auburn) – $50,000
• State Senate candidate Doug Harwell – $45,000
• State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) – $40,000
• Senate President Pro Tempore Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) – $35,000
• State Rep. James Lomax (R-Huntsville) – $30,000

Opponents have used the donations to criticize what they describe as a growing gambling industry influence in Alabama politics. One of the critics is former state Sen. Rusty Glover. Glover, who is running against Harwell in the Senate District 34 race, who said:

“Gambling empires are placing their bets on the legislative candidates they believe they can most easily manipulate to do the wrong thing for Alabama citizens.”

Meanwhile, former U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, who is challenging Lomax in House District 20, has said that the PACs were “laundering” money to hide the true source of the donations.

“What we’re seeing with the laundering of this gambling empire money is just the tip of the iceberg, with the way in which public policy is bought and sold by special interest groups in Montgomery.”

Candidates Say Contributions Do Not Influence Their Positions

Some of the lawmakers who received donations have stated that the campaign funding has not changed their positions on gambling policy.

Hovey said his decision on gambling policy will be based on “common sense,” not money. He added that he supports letting voters decide on gambling expansion.

“Every day, countless Alabamians drive through my district on their way to purchase Georgia lottery tickets and help fund Georgia’s education.”

Lomax similarly said outside campaign spending does not influence his position. While he said he will vote against gambling expansion, he admitted that it’s already happening in the state through prediction markets like Kalshi.

“The people of Alabama… deserve the opportunity to vote and make their voices heard on a lottery, for or against.”

Meanwhile, Elliott said contributions from interest groups are common in political campaigns.

“Unfortunately, raising money is a part of running for office, but I cast all of my votes based upon my conscience and conservative beliefs.”

Gudger added that it’s been 27 years since the last referendum on a lottery, and voters deserve the chance to let their voices be heard.

Multiple Gambling Interests Back Alabama Candidates

SV&B PAC is not the only organization tied to gambling interests funding Alabama campaigns.

Lomax has also received support from the American Conservative Fund. Notably, the organization mistakenly distributed campaign mailers supporting Lomax for the Senate rather than the House.

According to Federal Election Commission records, the American Conservative Fund received $500,000 from Win for America. Win for America itself has received a $2 million donation from DK Crown Holdings, the corporate entity for DraftKings.

Meanwhile, the Sports Betting Alliance has also donated over $300,000 to the North Alabama PAC in the past two years.

Tribal interests are also participating in the political funding landscape. The Poarch Creek Band of Indians, which has pushed for gambling expansion, has created the Poarch Creek Indian PAC. The PAC has donated $190,000 to lawmakers since November 2025.

No Movement on Gambling Legislation in 2026

The political spending is aimed at future legislative cycles as Alabama appears unlikely to advance gambling legislation during the current session, which ends on March 27.

While many observers expected a quiet year, several gambling-related bills were still introduced.

State Sen. Merika Coleman-Evans’ SB 257, a comprehensive bill, would ask voters to decide on a state lottery, commercial casinos, online sports betting, and a new gaming regulator.

A pair of House bills, HB 448 and HB 449, aim to establish a state lottery and lottery corporation. While other forms of gambling received mixed support in previous sessions, the lottery gained widespread support.

Meanwhile, HB 262 would allow pari-mutuel betting in six counties across the state.

None of the measures has seen any movement, making action this year unlikely.

Alabama Came Closest to Gambling Expansion in 2024

Alabama came the closest to sending a gambling expansion referendum to voters in 2024. Then a compromise bill to establish a state lottery, commercial slots, and tribal Class III casinos fell short by one vote in the Senate, after passing in the House.

The failure was due to a disagreement between the chambers, despite leadership support. The House version included a comprehensive proposal that would have legalized a lottery, commercial casinos, sports betting, tribal Class III casinos, and a regulatory body.

The Senate rejected that measure and passed an amended version that included historical horse racing machines and off-track betting instead of online sports betting and only commercial slots (no table games)

A conference committee attempted to reconcile the two versions, but the final compromise ultimately failed by a single vote in the Senate.

In 2025, momentum slowed as lawmakers discussed a proposal but never advanced it.

The campaign finance activity suggests pro-gambling interests may already be preparing for a future push. Notably, several of the largest recipients are Senate candidates. As the chamber proved to be the main obstacle in 2024, PACs appear to be backing candidates who could help pass future legislation.