If Alabama casinos are ever legalized, Charles Barkley is “all in.”
The “Round Mound of Rebound” made some waves over the weekend when he told al.com reporter Roy S. Johnson that he would welcome the opportunity to be part of an African American investment group that would own a majority stake in an Alabama casino.
“Hell yeah,” he told Johnson. “I would love to be part of it.”
The trouble is, Alabama has some of the strictest gambling laws in the country. The state doesn't allow a lottery, commercial casinos, online casinos, sports betting, or Class III tribal casinos with Las Vegas-style games. The only types of gambling allowed are charitable gaming, parimutuel wagering, and Class II tribal gaming.
Black Lawmakers Pushing for Alabama Casinos
According to Johnson's report, Black lawmakers want at least one casino in Alabama to be primarily owned by African Americans, stated Senator Bobby Singleton.
“I support gaming in the state 100%,” Singleton said. “I have been in conversation with the potential sponsor, and one of the things I’ve asked for in the bill for us to fully support is some African American ownership — not just people working in the place. Because it’s my people who walk through those doors more frequently than anyone else, we should at least have some ownership so that we could also be good corporate citizens in our communities.”
Singleton said it would be "awesome" to have a casino in Birmingham owned by a group that includes Charles Barkley, who is an Auburn graduate, a basketball Hall of Famer, and a TV commentator.
Legalizing Casinos in Alabama Is an Uphill Battle
Alabama’s legislature has always been careful with gambling laws. The state has generally opposed legalizing gambling.
A new proposal for a statewide ballot referendum that asks voters to approve a state-run lottery has been introduced. However, a bill related to casino gaming has not yet progressed this legislative session.
Senator Greg Albritton is working on a constitutional amendment package that would allow for a statewide lottery, land-based casinos, and in-person sports betting. To pass, it needs approval from three-fifths of each legislative chamber. Ironically, he was the dissenting vote that kept the gaming package from reaching Governor Kay Ivey's desk because it didn't allow the Poarch Indians to pursue a casino in the northern part of the state.
In December, state Senator Sam Givhan from Huntsville stated that the GOP, which controls both legislative chambers, doesn't have enough support to advance a gaming bill. He noted that support declined after last year’s compromise from the special conference committee fell through.
Sir Charles Love of Casinos (and Gambling) Well-Documented
On a recent episode of the "Club Shay Shay" podcast, hosted by former NFL player Shannon Sharpe, he shared with Sharpe that he used to visit Las Vegas and would gamble $25,000 on each hand, aiming to win $1 million in just one night.
“There’s probably been seven times that I won a million dollars,” he said. “But there’s probably been 25 times I’ve lost a million."
“I had to change my mentality because you can never break the casino, [but] they can break your a–,” Barkley added.
The most money Barkley ever won in one go was $5 million, but it doesn't stop him from wagering, even while at work.
They were talking about betting on a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. It made for good TV.
Barkley Had a Stellar Basketball Career
Before Charles Barkley became known for his humor off the court, he was one of the top power forwards in NBA history. Even though he was considered short for his position at 6-foot-6, he exceeded expectations with his relentless rebounding, powerful scoring, and unmatched energy.
The Philadelphia 76ers picked him as the 5th overall draft pick in 1984, and "Sir Charles" soon made a name for himself as a fierce competitor. Over 16 seasons with the Sixers, Suns, and Rockets, he earned many honors, including the 1993 MVP award and 11 appearances in the All-Star Game.
In 1993, he led the Suns to the NBA Finals, facing off against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in an exciting series. He also played a crucial part in the legendary 1992 "Dream Team," helping the U.S. win an Olympic gold medal. His Hall of Fame career established him as one of the best players never to win a championship.
Barkley Supports Casinos in Alabama
Despite all the money he’s lost over the years in casinos, he feels his home state could benefit from one (or more).
He’s also doubling down on sports betting, saying it needs to be a part of any gambling bill that’s discussed.
“We need that money,” he said.
Since 2026 is an election year, Singleton is unsure if lawmakers will want to address gambling laws in this session. However, he is eager to collaborate with the Chairman, Charles Barkley, and anyone else who wants to discuss and find a solution.
His dream of his alma mater Auburn getting back to the Final Four came true over the weekend; maybe his dream of owning a casino in Alabama will be next.
