Poarch Band disputes jurisdiction of state at gaming facilities

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians disputed the jurisdiction of the state of Alabama after Attorney General Luther Strange filed a lawsuit aimed at shutting down the tribe's casinos.

The tribe operates three gaming facilities under federal law. The casinos are located on trust land.

"First, as a federally recognized sovereign Indian nation, Poarch Creek’s land is governed by federal, not state law. While we respect Mr. Strange’s attempts to fulfill his duties as State Attorney General, he is not a federal official and therefore, has no jurisdiction or enforcement authority over tribal land or tribal gaming operations," the tribe said in a statement.

The tribe also said its electronic gaming machines fall into the Class II category, over which the state has no jurisdiction.

Get the Story:
AG's lawsuit against Poarch Creek bingo is 'frivolous,' gambling lawyer says (The Mobile Press-Register 2/20)
Strange launches double-barrel attack against electronic bingo in Alabama as VictoryLand raided, Wind Creek owners sued (AlLive.Com 2/20)
Ala. files civil lawsuit against Poarch Creek casinos; seeks to close Atmore, Montgomery, Wetumpka venues (The Montgomery Advertiser 2/20)
Could Strange beat PCI in court? (The Brewton Standard 2/20)
AG takes on PCI, VictoryLand (The Andalusia Star-News 2/20)
AG: Shut Wind Creek (The Atmore Advance 2/20)

An Opinion:
Editorial: Wetumpka, Elmore Co. officials study Wind Creek project - Big casino will change area (The Prattville Progress 2/20) Related Stories:
Alabama sues Poarch Band in hopes of shutting down casinos (2/19)