Alabama is a state without an official lottery as of September 20, 2026. The state does not operate a lottery or sell lottery tickets through Alabama retailers. Section 65 of the Alabama Constitution prohibits lotteries and gift enterprises.
Alabama Lottery Status at a Glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Alabama have a state lottery? | No |
| Can you buy Powerball tickets in Alabama? | No, not through an Alabama lottery retailer |
| Can Alabama residents play Powerball? | Yes, by buying a ticket in a state where Powerball is sold |
| Does Alabama sell Mega Millions tickets? | No, Alabama has no in-state lottery sales |
| Is Alabama considering a lottery? | Yes, lawmakers introduced lottery proposals in 2026 |
Why Doesn't Alabama Have a Lottery?
Section 65 of the Alabama Constitution prohibits lotteries and gift enterprises. Changing that rule would require a constitutional amendment, followed by legislation to create and regulate a state lottery.
The Alabama Legislature's 2026 regular session adjourned on April 9, 2026. Alabama had not launched a lottery as of September 20, 2026.
Can Alabama Residents Buy Powerball Tickets?
Yes. Alabama residents can buy Powerball tickets from an authorized retailer in a state where Powerball is sold. Powerball's official rules allow people from jurisdictions without Powerball sales to purchase tickets while visiting a participating jurisdiction.
Online purchases across state borders are restricted. A website that claims to sell official Alabama Powerball tickets is not an Alabama state lottery website because Alabama does not have an official lottery.
Is Alabama Planning to Start a Lottery?
Yes. Alabama lawmakers introduced two lottery-related proposals in 2026:
- House Bill 448 proposed a constitutional amendment authorizing a state lottery with draw-based and instant-win games.
- House Bill 449 proposed creating the Alabama Lottery Corporation to operate and manage the lottery.
The proposals do not establish an operating lottery by themselves. Until Alabama changes its Constitution and creates the required operating structure, residents must travel to another state to buy tickets for games such as Powerball.