The Poarch Band of Creek Indians of Alabama (PCI) recently announced a gambling expansion proposal called Winning for Alabama, which would include a state-tribal compact granting the tribe exclusive rights to operate Class III gaming in the state.
The plan also would allow development of “two additional first-class gaming and tourism sites that will offer unlimited gaming,” including slots, table games, sports betting and luxury hotels, in the northern part of the state, according to a PCI statement.
The plan would generate more than $1 billion for Alabama in the first year, the statement indicated. That would include $725 million from licensing fees and the exclusivity deal. The two new developments would bring in nearly $350 million in annual taxes at a rate of up to 25 percent and revenue sharing, also up to 25 percent, from new Class III games at the tribe’s three existing gambling operations—Wind Creek Atmore, Wind Creek Wetumpka and Wind Creek Montgomery—which currently offer Class II games. Thousands of new jobs would be created within the two new developments and due to new Class III gaming, the PCI statement said.
PCI’s plan also proposes a state lottery. Earlier this year, state Senator Greg Albritton sponsored a clean lottery bill that was approved by the Senate but defeated in the House. He had estimated a state lottery would generate $170 million in annual revenue.
Stephanie Bryan, chairwoman and CEO of the 4,000-member tribe, said, “We have long believed that the economic power of gaming should be strategically harnessed to create opportunities for everyone who lives in Alabama. This plan does that, and we are committed to making sure that our positions on gaming and our commitment to helping improve the quality of life in Alabama are clear.”
The Winning for Alabama campaign was created in response to a “misinformation” program launched by the Poarch Creek Accountability Now group. The PCI statement said, “The sole purpose of that group’s work was to misrepresent the tribe’s position on gaming in the state, confuse the issues surrounding gaming regulation and taxation and damage Poarch’s reputation.”
According to Poarch Creek Accountability Now Director, former state Senator Gerald Dial, the group seeks to share ” true and accurate information” about PCI’s gaming revenue and expenditures. Learning of PCI’s plan, Dial said, “It’s encouraging that they are coming to the table with a proposal because right now the Poarch Creek gaming operation pays no taxes on gaming profits.”
Governor Kay Ivey’s Press Secretary Gina Maiola her office has had no formal discussions with the tribe concerning a compact. “Ultimately, this is a question for the legislature, but the governor is open to hearing any recommendations,” she said.
Other PCI gaming operations include Wind Creek in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; the Wa She Shu Casino in Gardnerville, Nevada; the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino; the Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino; and racetracks in Alabama and Florida.
