Tommy Tuberville Won’t Stop Alabama Gambling Push But Divided Legislature Lengthens Odds

Republican Tommy Tuberville says if he’s elected governor of Alabama, he would not stand in the way of a push to legalize gambling. A divided state legislature, however, might.

The Alabama Constitution forbids the state legislature from authorizing any new form of gambling, including casinos, lotteries, and sports betting. For that to change, voters would need to pass a statewide ballot referendum amending the state’s legal framework to provide the legislature with such powers.

Tuberville, the famed former football coach of the Auburn Tigers, has represented Alabama in the U.S. Senate since 2021. He’s seeking to exit Washington for the governor’s office in Montgomery during next Tuesday’s (Nov. 3) election.

Tuberville Unopposed to Gambling Vote

Tuberville recently sat down with the Capital Journal, where he was asked about gambling. While a legislature-led constitutional referendum does not require a governor’s signature to reach the ballot, Tuberville expressed hope that lawmakers would work directly alongside the executive branch on any future gaming push.

Tuberville said the governor should “be on top of everything” in determining a gambling package to put before voters.

“I’m not a gambler, so either way for me would be fine. I want to do what the people of Alabama want to do,” Tuberville said.

Tuberville has taken $130,000 in campaign contributions from VGW, an online sweepstakes casino that continues to operate its platforms in Alabama despite the state’s gambling ban. VGW’s brands include Chumba Casino, Global Poker, and LuckyLand Casino.

Path to the Ballot

To present a constitutional amendment to voters, a bill must secure a three-fifths supermajority (60%) in both the Alabama State Senate and House of Representatives. If the measure qualifies for the ballot, it requires a simple majority from voters to pass.

Alabama’s Legislature is heavily controlled by Republicans, with the GOP holding 27 of 35 Senate seats and 76 of 105 House seats. Despite public polling showing that Alabamians want to vote on gambling, many lawmakers in Montgomery remain opposed to a referendum, citing religious convictions.

Polling & Market Expectations

Tuberville remains the favorite to succeed term-limited Gov. Kay Ivey (R). Alabama has not elected a Democratic governor since Don Siegelman won in 1998.

Recent polling indicates a competitive race against Democratic nominee Doug Jones, the former U.S. Senator whom Tuberville unseated in 2020. A survey from Democratic-aligned Chism Strategies shows Tuberville leading Jones 48% to 45%, placing the contest within the margin of error.

Prediction market traders, however, remain skeptical of a close outcome. On Polymarket, shares for a Tuberville gubernatorial victory are trading at 93 cents as of Oct. 30.

Jones has publicly campaigned on supporting a “comprehensive gambling bill” as a mechanism to fund healthcare and education statewide.