A political action committee (PAC) run by former Democratic congressional candidate turned Montgomery political power player Steve Raby has funded over 100 candidates and other entities this election cycle with money from out-of-state gambling interests.
Raby is the registered chairperson of North Alabama PAC, formed in 2017. He's also a lobbyist and political consultant with close ties to many of Alabama's elected elite, including House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville).
SEE: Who is Steve Raby?
The lifetime financial summary on the Alabama Secretary of State's website showed the North Alabama PAC had received over $1,832,450 in cash contributions and expended $1,478,819.30. Over $300,000 of that came from the Sports Betting Alliance, a Virginia-based online gambling advocacy group representing Bet365, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics and FanDuel.
The Montgomery-based SV&B PAC has also received significant support from the Sports Betting Alliance — close to $1.9 million — which it has distributed to multiple campaigns this cycle. The Poarch Creek Indian PAC has expended $477,500 of its $3,500,000 in funding since November 2025, including $50,000 to North Alabama PAC, according to Transparency USA.
SEE: Gambling interests bet big on Alabama legislative campaigns
Alabama Attorney General candidate Katherine Robertson was the top recipient of North Alabama PAC money from early 2025 to date at $116,000. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin received the second-most, at $73,390, followed by Tuscaloosa City Council candidate Matthew Wilson at $65,876, according to state data.
The state legislature is expected to take up the issue of gambling again in 2027, after falling short by a single vote in 2024. Things could be different next session, with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), who appointed Raby to his Senate transition committee in 2020, likely at the helm as governor.
Former U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks — who's running for House District 20 to unseat State Rep. James Lomax (R-Huntsville), the top House recipient of SV&B money since 2025 — published a lengthy report detailing the extent to which out-of-state gambling interests have gone to influence the 2026 elections.
"In a $3+ million financial avalanche unprecedented in Alabama political history, out-of-state and out-of-country gambling moguls are buying Alabama legislators, corrupting college and professional athletics, and flaunting Alabama civil and criminal laws," he said in the report. "...That logical conclusion is that the Sports Betting Alliance seeks to purchase the good graces of dozens and dozens of Alabama legislators."
Raby has a history with Brooks, whom he ran against unsuccessfully in 2010 for U.S. House Congressional District 5. At the same time, Raby faced a bribery scandal that was allegedly linked to four PACs he ran shortly before launching his campaign.
According to a report by the Tuscaloosa News, a State House bribery probe found that Ronnie Gilley, owner of the Country Crossing casino in Dothan, allegedly donated four $50,000 checks in March 2010 to four separate north Alabama PACs. The money, authorities said, was intended for State Sen. Harri Anne Smith's campaign "in return for her vote on a bill to legalize electronic bingo."
Raby denied any wrongdoing, saying he had turned over all PAC operations to his nephew in February, before the March donations were made.
Some state lawmakers have had concerns about Raby's alleged influence in state politics and House leadership, while others expressed admiration.
After a letter issued in 2024 by the Liberty League Foundation criticized Raby and Ledbetter for being fake Republicans, Raby told 1819 News: "I hold no official role with the Speaker's Office. I do help members of the Republican caucus with campaigns and fundraising efforts. I have worked with pollsters to conduct surveys and present info to the caucus. No House member campaign has ever paid me anything."
Raby said he liked helping people and played a role in widening the Republican House majority.
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