Alabama’s Poarch Band of Creek Indian (PBCI) is requesting the state to offer them all forms of gambling and lottery rights, in return to pay rightful gaming share.
According to Casino.org, PBCI owns three casinos in the state of Alabama, which are Wind Creek Wetumpka, Wind Creek Montgomery, and Wind Creek Atmore. However, the tribe pays no taxes to the state. A group by the name Poarch Creek Accountability Now (PCAN) led by former Sen.
Gerald Dial called for the tribe to be accountable in paying taxes. The group claimed that the tribe was using the profit from Alabama to invest in other states where they were paying taxes.
PBCI Offer to Alabama
PBCI three casinos venues in Alabama offers class two gaming facilities, that mean they provide no slot machine, blackjack, craps, or table games. Earlier, the tribe wasn’t willing to enter in any negotiation with the state. But, this week, they released a statement in support of legislation that will legalize clean traditional lottery.
The tribe wants to be permitted to build two new gaming resorts with class three games and a sportsbook. In return, they’re offering a 25 percent of all gaming revenue to the state. Further, the tribe stated that it would hand over $225 million to the state if it is offered exclusivity for class three games and tables’ games in all its venues.
“This is a winning proposal for Alabama; we estimate this plan would provide revenues of more than $1 billion after the first year,” the tribe spokesperson said. “This $1 billion consists of $275 million from license fee and compact exclusivity, and nearly $375 million in annual taxes from new development and revenue share on class three games at existing sites”, PBCI added.
Lottery Issue
Alabama is among five states in the US without lottery. PBCI request for a “clean, traditional lottery” is its way of opposing the gaming devices permitted by the state at greyhound racetracks. State lawmakers from districts offering racing venues support the introduction of gaming devices on the tracks, something the tribe is opposing. PBCI believes the devices will lure players away from their gaming facilities.
