Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

There’s a horse racing track in Alabama that hasn’t hosted an event since 1995. The Birmingham Race Course first opened its doors in 1987, with nothing but the highest of hopes.

Eight years later, and after a brief foray into greyhound racing, it would cease hosting races altogether.

The utter lack of any racing presence in the state of Alabama produces an interesting question. Is horse racing legal in Alabama?

Technically, yes. However, there are legal barriers that have led to its presence being minimized in the state.

Why Races Are No Longer Held at the Birmingham Race Course

To begin with, it is important to understand that the Birmingham Race Course did not stop having horse events for regulatory reasons.

It was a cash flow problem. Right from the start, the events opened to tepid attendance. The venue opened relatively strong but almost immediately took a huge hit. Stands built for tens of thousands of people held only a few thousand.

At one point, it was estimated that investors were losing around $100,000 a day. So no. It wasn’t exactly legal friction that brought Birmingham Race Course to its knees. This venue was built in the hopes of bringing horse racing to the deep south. Unfortunately, the anticipated enthusiasm for this move outweighed what was actually there.

Within months, weekday attendance sometimes dipped below 1,500 visitors.

The track tried promotions and reduced admission prices. Nothing worked. The venue continued to struggle financially. Operating costs stayed high while revenue declined. The track’s location was too remote. It also faced competition from other entertainment options. Neighboring states with established racing traditions drew potential customers away.

By 1992, the track had abandoned horse racing entirely. It switched to greyhound racing instead. This required less maintenance and fewer staff. The change helped keep the facility open but marked the end of its original vision as Alabama’s premier thoroughbred racing destination.

Does Alabama have laws that limit horse racing?

This is not to say that Alabama law is horse racing friendly. The state generally prohibits gambling activity. However, it does make concessions for certain communities. Cities with more than 300,000—like the metropolitan Birmingham region—are able to decide if they want to allow racing.

This does leave the door open for racing events. However, given previous performance, and a national trend that has seen horse race track venue revenue dipping pretty much everywhere, it’s not likely that live events will make a comeback in Alabama any time soon.

Is it legal to bet on horse racing in Alabama?

It’s easy to wonder. Alabama’s prohibitive stance on gambling is so absolute that it is one of only five states to not even have a lottery. Despite this stance, it is still legal to bet on horse races in Alabama. You won’t have the opportunity to do it in person. However, you can still log onto your favorite betting app and participate in that way.

Alabama’s approach to online horse betting exists in a legal gray area that many residents might find surprising. The state allows what’s called “advance deposit wagering” on horse races through licensed online platforms.

This exception stems from the federal Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978, which permits cross-state betting on horse races. Alabama hasn’t explicitly outlawed this form of wagering, effectively allowing residents to participate through major online betting services that accept Alabama customers.

How to Experience Horse Racing In Alabama

The restrictive legal landscape and simple lack of options make it a bit harder to catch horse racing in Alabama. Right now, you’ll have to view the sport through a TV screen. Where you find that screen will, naturally, play a big role in shaping your overall experience.

Sports bars are a classic option. They are a good spot to grab a drink and watch a few races on a slow Saturday afternoon.

If you want to make the experience more social, consider holding a viewing party.

The Kentucky Derby is fast approaching. For many people, this is like the Super Bowl of horse racing. You don’t need to follow the game at all to be captivated by the two most exciting minutes in sports.

Consider hosting a viewing party at your house. Research your betting options on TwinSpires. Find a good mint julep recipe online.

Invite your friends over. The actual race is very brief. However, the event receives a full day of coverage. There will be hours of analyst predictions. Smaller races. Tons of celebrity fashion segments.

You’ll have no trouble keeping your guests busy. Yes, Alabama makes watching horse races harder than it needs to be. Don’t let that rob you of the opportunity to enjoy one of the oldest and most exciting sports in the world.

Gamble Responsibly. You must be 21 years old or older to gamble. If you or someone you know has a problem with gambling help is available at 1-800-GAMBLER.