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Poarch Band of Creek Indians

Legislature

New guidelines, old opinions raise questions about Poarch Creek status

Is the Poarch Band of Creek Indians’ federally recognized status in serious question?  This is a question I would have laughed at a few years ago. In fact, I did laugh at it when the state of Alabama raised questions about PCI’s federal status in a lawsuit challenging its right to operate electronic bingo casinos.  … Continued
March 12, 2020

Albritton is back with yet another bad gambling plan

Greg Albritton is trying to scam you again.  After trying and failing last year to extend the Poarch Band of Creek Indians’ gaming monopoly in the state, Albritton is back again this year, with a bill that is, amazingly, worse.  Worse for the state. Worse for gaming. Worse for everyone.  Billed as the “billion-dollar plan” … Continued
March 10, 2020

Bill would grant Poarch Creeks sole rights over all gaming, defying governor’s call

Despite Gov. Kay Ivey’s call for the Legislature to give her gaming study group time to bring her fact-based recommendations, Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Range, last week introduced a bill that would provide the Poarch Band of Creek Indians a monopoly, eliminates all competition and bind the state to a compact while adding comparatively little to … Continued
March 9, 2020

Gov. Ivey names members of study group on gaming, lottery

Gov. Kay Ivey on Friday announced the members of a panel she’s ordered to study how much revenue the state could bring in from an expansion of gaming and a state lottery.   Ivey said in her State of the State address that before she’ll consider the Poarch Band of Creek Indian’s proposal to expand gaming … Continued
February 14, 2020

Ivey seizes gaming issue

Toward the end of her 2020 State of the State address, Gov. Kay Ivey snatched the issue of a state lottery and gaming from the hands of the Legislature. “I will be signing an Executive Order to establish a small working group of some of Alabama’s most distinguished citizens, to begin working, to gather all … Continued
February 6, 2020

Former state senator challenges Poarch Creek legal status

Former state Sen. Gerald Dial raised questions at a Tuesday press conference over the legal status of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, distributing letters from high ranking officials in the Department of the Interior who question the tribe’s history and its legal rights to operate casinos.  In one letter, written by then-Interior Department solicitor … Continued
February 5, 2020

McClendon introduces legislation to rein in gambling influence in state politics

At a press conference earlier today, Sen. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, introduced legislation that prohibits gambling interests from giving money to candidates for the Legislature, the lieutenant governor, and the governor. It likewise bans candidates for those offices from accepting campaign contributions from gambling interests. “The purpose of this legislation is to get things in Alabama … Continued
February 3, 2020

PCI’s billion dollar plan raises questions

Over the last few months, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians has flooded the state with an advertising campaign touting a billion-dollar package labeled “Winning for Alabama.” How the plan benefits Alabama is a fuzzy moving target, but there are many advantages for the tribe. Beyond giving PCI a monopoly over Las Vegas-style gaming, it … Continued
January 28, 2020

Prepare for more gambling debates in the 2020 Legislative Session

More gambling arguments are on their way.  Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, the House budget chairman, told several media outlets on Monday that he planned to file legislation that would create an education lottery in Alabama.  Clouse’s bill would create a paper lottery with scratch-offs and PowerBall options, but would exclude video lottery terminals. Clouse said … Continued
January 28, 2020