Large non-Indian gaming facility in Alabama closes amid threat

Tuesday, August 10, 2010  

Victoryland, the largest non-Indian gaming facility in Alabama, closed on Monday but its owner promised a court fight to keep operating electronic machines.

Victoryland at one point offered 6,400 electronic machines. Gov. Bob Riley (R) claims the devices are slot machines and therefore illegal under state law.

The Governor's Task Force on Illegal Gambling has shut down every other non-Indian facility in the state. According to The Montgomery Advertiser and the Associated Press, patrons are now flocking to casinos owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

The tribe's facilities exclusively offer Class II games. The tribe's attempts to negotiate for Class III games have been rejected by all of the state's governors.

Get the Story:
VictoryLand closes as raid looms (The Montgomery Advertiser 8/10)
Alabama's biggest casino closes as raid looms (AP 8/9)

Related Stories:
Alabama Governor: Ridding the state of 'illegal' gaming machines (8/9)