Alabama Casinos - Best Gambling Locations in AL

Read reviews and compare the top casinos in The Yellowhammer State

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Your options for playing in Alabama land-based casinos are quite limited. There are stringent Alabama gambling laws in place, allowing only Native American tribal casinos to operate legally and even then, under an array of responsible gambling rules. These tribal casinos, however, are restricted to offering only Class II gaming, which includes games like bingo, video gaming machines, and non-banked card games. Therefore, popular casino games such as slots, blackjack, and roulette are not legally available in the best Alabama casinos.

Most Popular Casinos in Alabama Reviewed

On this page, we will delve into the top Alabama casinos, providing you with a comprehensive assessment of their offerings, amenities, and overall gaming experience. Our focus will be on brick-and-mortar establishments that comply with state regulations, ensuring that we explore the legal options available to gambling enthusiasts in Alabama. By evaluating factors such as gaming variety, ambiance, customer service, and accessibility, we aim to equip you with valuable insights to make informed decisions about the best casino destinations in the Yellowhammer State.

Wind Creek Casino, Wekumpta

Wind Creek Casino in Wekumpta, Alabama, opened its doors in 2009, boasting an impressive size of 85,000 square feet. Within its expansive gaming floor, you’ll find an array of 2,500 slot machines and 70 table games, providing ample opportunities for excitement and entertainment. The casino offers various games, including electronic bingo machines and video poker.

Wekumpta’s Wind Creek Casino offers a diverse range of restaurants and bars. Whether you’re craving a hearty steak from the Fire Steakhouse, or a delicious buffet spread, the options cater to different tastes. For a  casual dining experience, the sports bar serves up pub-style fare and refreshing beverages.

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Wind Creek Casino provides additional features to enhance your visit. The property includes a luxurious hotel with well-appointed suites, ensuring a comfortable stay for guests. Additionally, the Oasis Pool & Bar, a relaxing spa and fitness center offer opportunities for rejuvenation and relaxation after an action-packed day at the casino. If you’re looking for entertainment, the casino often hosts live shows and events via its Entertainment Center and Center Bar.

Visitors to Wind Creek Casino in Wekumpta generally praise the friendly and attentive staff, making for a pleasant overall experience. Positive reviews often highlight the extensive gaming options and well-maintained facilities. While some visitors might mention higher food prices, the quality and variety of dining options typically receive positive feedback. Overall, Wind Creek Casino has earned a solid reputation among its visitors for providing an enjoyable and well-rounded casino experience in the heart of Alabama.

Wind Creek Casino, Montgomery

Wind Creek Casino in Montgomery, Alabama, has been welcoming guests since its opening in 2002. With a spacious gaming floor spanning approximately 65,000 square feet, the casino offers a diverse selection of 2,200 electronic gaming machines and 55 table games. Among the array of games available, you’ll find electronic poker machines for hours of entertainment.

When it comes to dining options, Wind Creek Casino in Montgomery caters to different tastes with its range of restaurants and bars. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, the casino provides a buffet restaurant serving various cuisines and a deli-style eatery for casual dining. Additionally, the property features a bar for those looking to unwind with drinks and socialize.

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As for amenities and features, Wind Creek Casino in Montgomery offers a hotel where you can enjoy a comfortable stay during your visit. While there may not be a spa or swimming pool on-site, the casino often hosts live entertainment events to add excitement to your experience. A fitness center is also available for guests who want to maintain their workout routine while enjoying their time at the casino.

Visitors’ opinions about Wind Creek Casino in Montgomery are generally positive. Many guests appreciate the vast gaming options and the lively atmosphere. As for the dining experience, prices are considered reasonable, and patrons often express satisfaction with the food quality and variety. While some might mention occasional wait times during peak hours, the overall reputation of the casino remains favorable among visitors for providing an enjoyable gaming and entertainment destination in Montgomery, Alabama.

VictoryLand, Shorter

VictoryLand Casino, which opened its doors in 1983, is one of Alabama’s prominent gaming destinations. Spread across 100,000 square feet, this casino offers a diverse range of gaming options. With over 500 electronic bingo machines, you can immerse yourself in an exciting gaming environment. The casino doesn’t just cater to bingo enthusiasts, it also offers a wide variety of other electronic gaming machines to keep the entertainment going.

VictoryLand Casino has got you covered for dining. The Oasis Buffet and Grill serves up a variety of mouth-watering dishes, offering both local and international cuisine. For a quick bite or a casual meal, the Snack Bar is a great choice. If you’re looking to unwind after a day of gaming, the Eclipse Bar offers a wide selection of beverages in a relaxed setting.

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Aside from the gaming and dining options, VictoryLand Casino also provides a range of amenities to enhance your visit. Although there are no hotel rooms or suites available on the property, the casino does have a spacious parking lot for visitors. While it doesn’t boast a fitness center or a spa, the focus here is truly on the gaming experience, which is top-notch.

As for its reputation, VictoryLand Casino is known for its friendly atmosphere and excellent customer service. While prices at the dining establishments are considered reasonable, the quality of the food has been praised by visitors. However, some patrons have voiced complaints about the smoke in the casino. Overall, VictoryLand Casino has carved out a positive reputation amongst visitors for its wide variety of games and welcoming environment.

Wind Creek Casino, Atmore

Opened in 2009, Wind Creek Casino in Atmore, Alabama, sprawls across an impressive 225,000 square feet. This gaming haven boasts over 1,700 games, offering a variety of gaming options to suit all preferences. While you won’t find traditional favorites like blackjack and roulette, there is a staggering selection of electronic gaming machines.

The Fire Steakhouse offers a fine dining experience with a menu that boasts a range of succulent steaks and seafood dishes. For those looking for a more casual dining experience, the Taste Buffet offers a variety of dishes from around the world. If you’re just looking for a quick bite or a refreshing drink, the Grill and the Drink are perfect spots to relax and unwind.

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The casino offers a range of amenities to enhance your visit. The Wind Creek Hotel offers comfortable rooms and luxurious suites for a restful stay. For relaxation and rejuvenation, the Spa at Wind Creek offers a variety of treatments. If you’re looking for entertainment, the Amphitheater hosts a range of shows and concerts. Fitness enthusiasts can take advantage of the state-of-the-art fitness center, and the outdoor pool is perfect for a refreshing dip.

Wind Creek Casino visitors often praise the friendly staff, well-maintained facilities, and the variety of games on offer. While some visitors have noted that the food can be a bit pricey, the quality and variety generally receive positive reviews. Overall, Wind Creek Casino enjoys a solid reputation as a top gaming and entertainment destination in Alabama.

List of All Casinos in Alabama

Let’s introduce you to all the available B&M casinos in Alabama. Below, you’ll find all the information you need to head over to one, including their addresses, cities and contact details. 

NameAddressCityPhone Number
Wind Creek Atmore303 Poarch RoadAtmore(251) 368-8007
Wind Creek Montgomery1801 Eddie L. Tullis RoadMontgomery(866) 946-3360
Wind Creek Wetumpka100 River Oaks DriveWetumpka(866) 946-3360
VictoryLand8680 County Road 40Shorter(334) 727-0640

Biggest Casinos in Alabama

We’ve compiled alist of all legal Alabama casinos measured by size. In the table below, you’ll find each casino’s name and its size in square meters, showing where to head to if size matters to you.

Casino NameSize
Wind Creek Atmore20,903 sq. feet
VictoryLand9,290 sq. feet
Wind Creek Wetumpka7,432 sq. feet
Wind Creek Montgomery4,180 sq. feet

Alabama Casinos with the Most Games

Now, we will provide you with a table featuring Alabama’s limited casinos and the number of games you can expect to find there:

Casino NameNumber of Games
VictoryLand3,200 games
Wind Creek Wetumpka2,520 games
Wind Creek Montgomery2,200 games
Wind Creek Atmore1,700 games

Casinos in Alabama with Hotels

Some, albeit not all Alabama gambling establishments also support hotels and other amenities. Allow us to introduce you to the top Alabama casinos which permit stopovers. These include:

Casino NameNumber of Rooms
Wind Creek Wetumpka283 rooms
Wind Creek Atmore236 rooms
Wind Creek Montgomery123 rooms

Casino Games in Alabama

Next, we will delve into the games available at AL land-based casinos, providing you with a comprehensive overview of the gaming options offered in Alabama casinos. You should note that only Class II video games are currently legal in the Yellowhammer State, which we’ll explain below.

Slots

Slot machines are not legally available in Alabama casinos. Alabama’s state gambling laws prohibit any gambling games at Alabama casinos save for Class II options. You can find slots at online casinos for Alabamians, though. 

Casino Poker

Poker is another game that you won’t find in Alabama casinos. Table games such as poker, blackjack and roulette are not permitted under Alabama’s gambling laws. However, AL online poker rooms can offer games via a legal gray zone. 

Roulette

Like blackjack, poker and slots, roulette games aren’t currently legal under Alabama’s gambling legislation. However, you can find ample games at online roulette casinos.

Blackjack

Only Class II electronic games are currently legal in Alabama, so regrettably, blackjack is off the table. If you want to play blackjack in the meantime, we have a page where we’ve compiled the best blackjack casino sites for you to join. Each of these has a plethora of online blackjack games for you to choose from.

Dice Games

Dice games cannot be played in Alabama’s licensed casinos. These games are considered table games, and all table games (save for Class II electronic options) are prohibited. Head to our top craps online casinos, and you’ll find Alabama-friendly sites offering you a chance to play this game.

Other Games

In Alabama, Class II video games refer to a specific category of electronic gaming machines that are allowed under certain conditions, primarily in tribal casinos operated by federally recognized Native American tribes. These Class II games are regulated and governed by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) rather than the state’s general gambling laws.

Class II video games are often referred to as “bingo-based” games because they are based on the concept of bingo, even though they may resemble traditional slot machines in appearance and gameplay. The outcome of each game is determined by the results of bingo games played on a central server. Players at the electronic gaming machines compete against each other rather than playing against the house, which is the case in traditional slot machines.

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The distinction between Class II and Class III games, such as slot machines and table games typically found in Las Vegas-style casinos, is important because it affects the regulatory framework and taxation structure for these games.

Class II video games are allowed in Alabama due to the federal law’s provisions, but they must adhere to specific regulations outlined in the IGRA and any compacts made between the state and the tribes operating the casinos.

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Riverboat Casinos in Alabama

Despite being ideal for supporting riverboat casinos, Alabama doesn’t have any. Neighboring states such as Louisiana and Mississippi do. In these states, loopholes surrounding riverboats being “offshore” can be exploited, but this isn’t the case in Alabama.

Indian Gaming Tribes in Alabama

The only way to gamble at casinos in Alabama (barring VictoryLand) is to head to one of those run by Indian gaming tribes. The only federally recognized tribe in Alabama, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, has a deep-rooted history and supports three of the four legal casinos in the state.

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Their entry into the gaming industry has been a significant chapter in their history. They operate all three Wind Creek Indian casinos in Atmore, Wetumpka, and Montgomery. These establishments, while contributing to Alabama’s economy, also serve as a testament to the tribe’s resilience and adaptability.

Closed Casinos in Alabama

The only casino to close within the last decade in Alabama was the Greenetrack, located in Eutaw. It operated as a racetrack and casino, but due to several legal challenges, it closed in 2010, having failed to win approval to support electronic bingo machines and Class II video games.

Gambling Taxes in Alabama

In Alabama, your gambling winnings are subject to federal income tax and, in some cases, state tax. You are required to report all your winnings, whether from a casino, horse track, lottery, or other forms of gambling. It’s essential to keep accurate records of your winnings and losses, as this information is required when you file your tax return.

When it comes to reporting your winnings, you’ll receive a Form W-2G from the payer if you win certain gambling prizes. This form details the amount you won and the taxes withheld. You must report these winnings on your federal tax return, even if no tax was withheld.

For state taxes, Alabama does not tax gambling winnings. However, if you are a resident of another state and win in Alabama, you may be required to pay tax in your home state. Always consult with a tax professional if you have questions about your specific situation.

To pay your federal taxes on gambling winnings, you can make payments online, by phone, or by mail. The IRS provides several payment options, including direct pay, debit or credit card, and electronic federal tax payment system (EFTPS). Remember, it’s your responsibility to pay your taxes on time to avoid penalties and interest.

Alabama Gambling FAQ

When did Alabama first legalize casino gambling?

Alabama has allowed for Class II electronic bingo operations on tribal lands thanks to the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. However, it hasn’t formally legalized casino gambling yet. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians opened the first legal casinos in the early 2000s.

What is the legal gambling age in Alabama?

In Alabama, you must be at least 21 years old to participate in any form of casino gambling, which is similar to most US state legal gambling age laws. This includes the Class II electronic bingo operations run by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. For other forms of gambling like horse racing and dog racing, the minimum age is 18.

What was the first Alabama casino to open?

The first casino to open in Alabama was the VictoryLand greyhound track which started offering casino-style gaming machines in 1984. However, it’s important to note that these were not traditional casino games, but rather Class II electronic bingo games. The first of these types of facilities to be run by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians was the Creek Bingo Palace, which opened in 1985. It has since closed.

How much revenue do casinos in Alabama make?

Alabama does not have any traditional brick-and-mortar casinos, and therefore, there is no annual tax revenue generated from casinos in the state. As there are no real money casino apps in Alabama, either, it is fair to say that the state raises virtually no real funds from gambling enterprises. 

Are there horse/dog racing and off-track betting options in Alabama?

Alabama does not allow off-track betting on horse or dog racing. All pari-mutuel wagering on greyhound and horse races must be conducted at the track where the race is being held. Sports bets can be placed at Alabama online sportsbooks and Alabama online racebooks, which are offshore sites.

Do any Alabama casinos offer free parking?

All three of Alabama’s Wind Creek casinos offer free parking to patrons. The same is true for VictoryLand in Shorter.

How many casinos does Alabama have?

Officially, there are just four approved casinos in Alabama. However, none of them can offer anything more than Class II electronic bingo-style games. As for the best online casinos for real money, there are potentially hundreds of these based outside the state, but they aren’t regulated, either. 

Is charitable gambling permitted in Alabama?

Yes, you can play charitable games in Alabama. Alabama law allows for certain types of charitable gaming. This includes bingo games and raffles, which are often used for fundraising by non-profit organizations. However, these games are subject to restrictions and must comply with the specific rules and regulations set by the state. For instance, bingo games can only be run by organizations that have been in existence for at least two years prior to operating the game.

Are any new casinos opening in Alabama soon?

Probably not. In the Spring of 2022, the Tourism Committee approved a two-bill proposal (9-1) to open five new casinos in Alabama. These would also offer sports betting, lottery games, and casino gambling and be run by an as-of-yet non-existing state commission. However, there has been no progress since then, with the bill’s progress stuck at the Senate stage.

Are there any legal restrictions to gambling at casinos in Alabama?

Yes, there are legal restrictions when gambling at AL casinos. The state allows some types of gaming, such as bingo and pari-mutuel wagering on greyhound and horse racing (at tracks).

However, most other forms of gambling, including slots and table games like blackjack and poker, are generally not legal in Alabama. The legal gambling age in Alabama is 19 for pari-mutuel betting and 21 for casinos.

Can you smoke in Alabama casinos?

Smoking is permitted in some areas of land-based casinos in Alabama. However, as the number of places where you can smoke dwindles, it’s possible that these policies will change in the future.

Are pets allowed in casinos in Alabama?

No. Casinos tend to have strict policies on animals inside their premises due to health and safety concerns, as well as potential disruptions to other patrons. There don’t appear to be any rules permitting guide dogs or similar support animals either.

Where can I receive help with gambling addiction in Alabama?

There are resources available in Alabama for those struggling with gambling addiction. The Alabama Council on Compulsive Gambling can be reached at 1-800-522-4700, while the National Council on Problem Gambling, and the Alabama Department of Mental Health may also be able to assist. Gamblers Anonymous can provide support and recovery if you are suffering from gambling issues.

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