Alabama vows speedy appeal in Poarch Creek gaming litigation


Wind Creek Wetumpka. Photo from Facebook

Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange is promising a speedy appeal in a gaming dispute with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

The tribe operates Class II gaming facilities in Indian Country. In a ruling last week, Judge W. Keith Watkins confirmed that the state lacks jurisdiction but Strange will take the case to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

“This decision puts us one step closer to a final resolution of this issue, which has been our goal all along,” Strange said in a statement to The Montgomery Advertiser. “We respectfully disagree with the court’s decision and intend to appeal.”

Whether Strange can sue the tribe is likely to be affected by the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Michigan v. Bay Mills Indian Community. A ruling in that case is expected by June.

Get the Story:
Judge's ruling favors Creek casinos (The Montgomery Advertiser 4/12)
Federal judge dismisses Strange’s lawsuit against PCI (The Atmore Advance 4/11)
Reaction on Poarch Creek Indian's request for casino gaming in Escambia County Poarch Creeks look to enter rapidly evolving, lucrative world of Florida gambling (Al.Com 4/11)

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