Quick answer: No — Alabama has no state lottery, and Powerball and Mega Millions tickets are not sold anywhere in the state. Alabama is one of five states without a lottery, alongside Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah. Alabamians legally buy tickets across the line in Georgia, Florida, Tennessee or Mississippi.
Why doesn't Alabama have a lottery?
It is written into the state's 1901 constitution, which bans lotteries outright. Removing that ban requires a constitutional amendment — a bill through both chambers of the legislature and then a statewide referendum. Voters rejected exactly that in 1999, and the legislature has been trying to get a second question on the ballot ever since.
The closest attempt in recent memory came in 2024, when a comprehensive gambling package cleared the House and then died in the Senate by a single vote. Similar bills have been filed in sessions since without reaching a referendum. As of September 2026, nothing has changed: no lottery, no legal in-state ticket sales.
Can you play Powerball in Alabama?
Not inside Alabama. There are no lottery terminals in Alabama convenience stores, and no state-authorised online sales, because there is no Alabama lottery to authorise them. What Alabamians do instead is drive — every state bordering Alabama sells Powerball and Mega Millions:
| Border state | Minimum age | State tax withheld | Claim window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 18 | 5.49% | 180 days |
| Florida | 18 | None | 180 days |
| Tennessee | 18 | None | 1 year |
| Mississippi | 21 | 5% | 180 days |
The two details worth planning around: Mississippi requires you to be 21, not 18, and Florida and Tennessee withhold no state tax at all. On a large prize that difference is real money.
Is it legal for an Alabama resident to buy a ticket in another state?
Yes. There is no residency requirement anywhere in the US — you buy where you stand, and any adult who meets that state's minimum age can play. What you cannot do is have someone mail you a ticket across state lines, or buy through an unauthorised courier that is not licensed in the selling state. Our guide to buying lottery tickets in another state covers the rules in detail.
Where do you claim if you win?
In the state where you bought the ticket, under that state's rules — its claim deadline, its withholding, its anonymity law. A Georgia ticket is claimed in Georgia; Georgia allows winners above $250,000 to stay anonymous. A Tennessee ticket is claimed in Tennessee, which does not.
Then the tax bill follows you home. Alabama taxes its residents on income from all sources, so an out-of-state jackpot is still reportable on your Alabama return, at a top rate of 5%, even though the ticket was bought elsewhere. You generally get a credit for tax paid to the other state, which is why a Florida or Tennessee ticket does not escape Alabama tax — it simply means there is no other-state credit to offset it. See lottery tax rates by state.
What about online lottery apps in Alabama?
Courier apps operate by buying a physical ticket for you inside a state where they are licensed — so they cannot serve an Alabama address for an Alabama ticket, because no such ticket exists. Some couriers serve Alabama residents who are physically located in a participating state at the time of purchase; the app checks your location, not your driver's licence. Anything advertising "Alabama lottery tickets online" is selling something that does not exist. Compare the legitimate services in our courier app comparison.
Quick answers
Does Alabama have a state lottery?
No. Alabama's 1901 constitution prohibits lotteries, voters rejected a lottery amendment in 1999, and every bill since — including the 2024 package that failed by one Senate vote — has fallen short of putting a new question on the ballot.
Can you buy Powerball tickets in Alabama?
No. Powerball and Mega Millions are not sold in Alabama. The nearest tickets are in Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Mississippi.
Which states near Alabama sell lottery tickets?
All four neighbours: Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Mississippi. Mississippi requires players to be 21; the others allow 18.
If an Alabama resident wins, do they pay Alabama tax?
Yes. Alabama taxes residents on income from all sources at a top rate of 5%, so an out-of-state prize is reportable at home. Tax withheld by the purchasing state generally produces a credit against it.
Which states still have no lottery?
Five: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.
Bottom line
Alabama sells no lottery tickets, so "Alabama Powerball" means a drive to Georgia, Florida, Tennessee or Mississippi — and a claim under that state's rules if you win. Check the numbers wherever you bought: Powerball results, Mega Millions results, or the Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Mississippi game pages.
Legislative status verified September 2026. State tax and claim details from Lottery Atlas state data. Play responsibly — 1-800-GAMBLER.
