"The winner in the entire scenario has been the Indian casinos. Casinos operated by the Poarch Creek Indians have operated uninterrupted and without any competition for over two years. They fall under federal, not state, jurisdiction. They also pay no state or local taxes. These casinos grew 61 percent in 2010 according to the annual gaming industry reports that were recently released. Their profits have grown by tens of millions of dollars due to the closing of their state regulated competitors.

The losers in the case, of course, are the defendants who were the subject of an obviously politically motivated prosecution. The defendants emerged from the courtroom with joy and relief. They were glad to have been exonerated. However, they paid a heavy price for their freedom. The defendants spent two years of their lives and most of their financial resources winning their exoneration. Four of the six persecuted people are over 70 years old and two of the four have had their retirement security ruined. Their legal defense costs were staggering. They were defended by the best legal talent in the state.

The strain and stress that these folks endured was seen in their faces. Probably the worst of the scene was the toll it took on the spouses of those being tried. They will never be able to be made whole for what they endured."

Get the Story:
Inside The Statehouse by Steve Flowers : Indian casinos are big winners in gambling trial (The Cleburne Times 4/19)