Alabama Governor Kay Ivey’s Study Group on Gambling Policy recently held a Zoom meeting with representatives from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and owners of non-tribal casinos in the state.
It was the fourth meeting of the 12-member group appointed by Ivey to gather information for state lawmakers about gambling revenues, risks and options as they consider future legislation.
Commercial and tribal gaming operators have long been at odds over how to proceed with expanded gambling in Alabama. In addition, numerous legal issues surround the state’s casinos; as a result, Alabama makes next to no tax revenue from them.
Lewis Benefield, operator of VictoryLand casino in Birmingham and the Birmingham Race Course, said, “I feel like there’s a plan out there that would benefit all of us. I’d like to see us put together something that gets these customers back from surrounding states. I just really feel like we can work together.” Benefield is the son-in-law of the late VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor.
Poarch Band Vice President of Business Development Arthur Mothershed added, “We stand ready to sit down and talk about a grand deal with anyone.”
Mothershed and Benefield previously said tribal and non-Indian gaming operators have held several discussions in recent months to try to work out an agreement.
A new face in the group, former Governor Jim Folsom, now a lobbyist, spoke on behalf of several Greene County electronic bingo operators, including GreeneTrack. He said without the bingo establishments, multiple services in several counties could not be funded.
Observers said the public is ready to support lotteries, sports gambling and full casinos in Alabama, especially with neighboring states offering increasing gambling options—and lawmakers may be ready to pass expanded gambling legislation.
