The state of Pennsylvania recently announced all 12 casinos—closed on March 17–could defer fee payments due to Covid-19 hardship. But Wind Creek Hospitality, the business arm of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, still paid its $2.5 million host fee to the city of Bethlehem on behalf of Wind Creek Bethlehem, which closed March 15. Wind Creek Bethlehem General manager Kathy McCracken said, “We understand that the community need is as great as ever, and we wanted to ensure the funds were delivered as planned.”
Wind Creek Bethlehem revenue fell 71 percent from $51 million in March 2019 to $15 million in March 2020—one of the highest posted casino losses in Pennsylvania.
The Alabama-based Poarch Band purchased Wind Creek Bethlehem, formerly the Bethlehem Sands, for $1.3 billion from Las Vegas Sands Corporation on May 30, 2019. The tribe owns and operates casinos in Wetumpka, Montgomery and Atmore, Alabama.
Poarch Band Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Bryan said the tribe emphasizes financial independence and self-reliance, noting the tribe built and manages the Wind Creek Atmore casino on its own. “When we decided to build it, we had no debt and we were worried about taking out loans. We worked hard, we were careful with our money and we were able to pay off the seven-year loan in about two years. That allowed us to establish a reputation for being good businesspeople.”
While its casinos remained closed due to Covid-19, the tribe recently announced one of its companies, Muskogee Technology, now is manufacturing personal protective equipment for Baptist Health Care. The tribe also donated $1 million to the Atmore Community Hospital.
