After months of whispers and innuendo, multiple sources have confirmed talks between the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PCI) and lawmakers in the Alabama Senate to pursue gambling expansion during the ongoing legislative session.
While the details of any proposed gambling legislation are lacking, sources have confirmed talks between PCI and lawmakers to produce gambling legislation this year after a similar effort by lawmakers fizzled last year.
PCI opposed a measure last year from House lawmakers to pass a comprehensive gambling bill package. One bill would legalize Class III gaming in specific areas in the state, approve a statewide lottery, legalize sports betting and create an enforcement mechanism for cracking down on illegal gambling. The other bill, a Constitutional Amendment, cleaned up the scattered local amendments legalizing gambling in localities in the state along with other provisions.
Last year's legislation included sections allowing PCI to enter into a compact with the governor's office for a location at an unspecified Northeast location. Initially expected to support the bill, PCI came out against it, pushing for an amendment.
PCI's suggested amendment would have replaced the section approving the Northeast compact with one approving a compact within "the portion of the City of Birmingham that is within Jefferson County."
In an email acquired by 1819 News, PCI claimed that Dr. Lewis Benefield, the President of the Birmingham Racecourse and VictoryLand Casino in Macon County, favored granting PCI a guaranteed spot in Birmingham, which Benefield denied.
The gambling package ultimately failed after weeks of debate, joint conference committees and political gamesmanship between the House and Senate. The final version of a gambling and lottery package passed the House after both bodies hammered out a compromise, but it came up short by one vote in the Senate in the final days of the 2024 session.
Since then, PCI's Wind Creek agreed to purchase the Birmingham Racecourse from the McGregor family. The sale was supposed to be finalized by "early 2025."
See: Poarch Band of Creek Indians buy Birmingham Race Course from McGregor family
Additionally, PCI hired the high-powered Fine Geddie lobbying firm in November last year.
See also: Poarch Creek Indians hire Fine Geddie lobbying firm ahead of possible 2025 session gambling push
Sources have told 1819 News that PCI, now armed with its lobbying firm and having acquired the Birmingham Racecourse, has pushed PCI to seek some kind of gambling legislation out of the Senate.
House leadership, overtly displeased with the Senate's failure to pass the gambling package last year, has made it abundantly clear that the onus is now on the Senate to produce any gambling reform.
1819 News called Bob Geddie with the Fine Geddie lobbying firm but received no response after leaving a voicemail. When 1819 News contacted the communications director for PCI, they had already been contacted by Geddie, despite 1819 News not having listed a reason for calling when it left the voicemail. The PCI spokesperson declined to comment on any plans to pursue gambling.
Sources tell 1819 News that the talks with the Senate are embryonic, and there are no specifics on what would be included in any proposed legislation.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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