A powerful tribal nation in Alabama is looking at a different approach to legalize sports betting and casino gambling.
According to a new report from the Alabama Political Reporter, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians will look to focus more time on gambling legalization throughout the year rather than just the legislative session. That comes after multiple legislative failures to legalize Alabama sports betting and casino gambling.
“I think too often we wait until the session starts and then we start working for this agenda or trying to push this agenda across the finish line,” Arthur Mothershed, EVP of business development and government relations of PCI’s Wind Creek Hospitality, told the publication. “I think we’ve got to do a better job of getting the voices of the people heard.”
Alabama sports betting push
Alabama is one of five states without a lottery, and lawmakers have regularly introduced legislation to create one in the past 25 years. Recently, the legislation has also included sports betting and casino gambling.
While vocal opposition has kept the issue from passing, Alabamians overwhelmingly want the right to vote on the issue, with some polls showing up to 80% support a lottery.
This year, minor details, largely about revenue distribution, kept any gambling legislation from gaining traction.
Vocal proponents
According to the Alabama Political Reporter, the PCI acknowledges that it needs to be a better mouthpiece for the districts in which it operates its three electronic bingo casinos.
“We’re already in the process of setting up more polling before the summer even starts, putting together some focus groups so that we can get a better message to the legislators,” Mothershed told the publication.
Last year, the PCI acquired the Birmingham Race Course. Also last year, the tribe partnered with powerful lobbying firm Fine Geddie.
It was prepared to begin massive renovations if the legislature passed a casino gambling package. The publication suggests legalizing and regulating gambling could bring the state more than 10,000 jobs.
Is the issue dead for 20 years?
After the gambling legislation failed this year, Sen. Greg Albritton, a key sponsor of the issue, declared it dead for another 20 years.
“We’ve been struggling with this for 25-26 years already … I don’t see anything changing,” Albritton said about the failure of the gambling passage.
Despite strong support from residents for a vote and similar sentiments from Gov. Kay Ivey, a majority of lawmakers cannot agree on the issue.
