Birmingham Race Course is central Alabama's gaming floor: more than 300 historical horse racing machines and year-round simulcast wagering at the 1987 racetrack in the Liberty Highlands area. It rates 3.7 from around 2,600 Google reviewers and the gaming floor runs 24 hours.
The property has been through several lives — an $85 million thoroughbred track at opening, greyhound racing from 1992 until April 2020 — and in 2024 Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming arm of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, agreed to buy it from the McGregor family. Expect continued investment; the machine floor has already grown since the ownership change.
What's on the floor
More than 300 historical horse racing (HHR) machines — electronic terminals that look and play like slots but settle wagers against a database of past horse races through the pari-mutuel system. If you have played HHR floors in Kentucky, this is the same product.
The simulcast room carries thoroughbred and greyhound cards from tracks across the country, with betting windows and self-service terminals daily.
There are no live table games and no poker room — Alabama law does not provide for them anywhere in the state.
Live racing
There is no live racing anymore: thoroughbreds last ran in 1995 and the greyhounds in April 2020. The track infrastructure remains, but plan your visit around the machines and the simulcast card, not a live post parade.
Tips before you go
Check the venue's posted minimum age before you go — Alabama's pari-mutuel venues set their own entry minimums, and they differ from the 21+ rule at Wind Creek's casinos.
The property sits just off I-459 east of downtown with free parking — it is an easy stop rather than a destination resort. For a hotel-and-amenities trip, the Wind Creek properties in Wetumpka and Atmore are the in-state options.
Nearby alternatives
VictoryLand in Shorter runs its own HHR floor about 90 minutes south. The three Wind Creek properties — Wetumpka, Montgomery and Atmore — offer bigger floors with hotels attached. See all Alabama in-person venues.
Prefer to play from home? Our ranked list of sweepstakes casinos available to Alabama players covers the online options operating in the state.
FAQ
Does Birmingham Race Course have slot machines?
It has more than 300 historical horse racing machines — terminals that play like slots but settle bets against past horse races through the pari-mutuel system. Alabama law does not provide for conventional slots.
Is there still live racing at Birmingham Race Course?
No. Thoroughbred racing ended in 1995 and greyhound racing in April 2020. Simulcast wagering on other tracks runs year-round.
Who owns Birmingham Race Course?
Wind Creek Hospitality — the gaming arm of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians — agreed to purchase the property from the McGregor family in 2024.
Is Birmingham Race Course open 24 hours?
Google lists the gaming floor as open 24 hours; the simulcast schedule follows each day's racing card.
