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Casinos Comes to Alabama

"…Casinos are open for business in Alabama and players say the payouts are high. The winnings are even bigger for Alabama's band of Poarch Creek Indians. They run three gaming operations statewide, including one on an Indian reservation in Wetumpka. The tribal chairman says the modular buildings are only a start -- groundbreaking is planned this year for a multimillion-dollar casino on the sacred Indian land. The casino chain, Harrah's, is bankrolling the project to bring upscale gaming to the heart of Alabama.

"[Poarch Creek Indians Chairman Eddie] Tullis expects a casino and riverfront hotel that will feature five restaurants, win thousands of tourists and put the Poarch Creek Indians in competition with gambling resorts in Mississippi.

"…Federal law excludes Indians from gambling limits set by the state because the state and federal government consider Indian reservations separate nations. The same law entitles Indians to tax-free earnings, which raises the stakes in competition with the handful of legalized gambling operations elsewhere in the state.

"Milton McGregor, the outspoken kingpin of gambling at Alabama dog tracks, said he's not opposed to Indian gaming, but he worries their tax-free advantage could put him out of business unless lawmakers let his industry expand.

"…But critics say the tax payout is not that high, and many dismiss McGregor's argument as a veiled effort to turn tracks into casinos…"

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