Lawsuit against Poarch Creek casinos moved to federal court

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

The Wind Creek Casino and Hotel in Atmore, Alabama.

A lawsuit that seeks to force the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to close down its gaming facilities has been moved to federal court.

Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange filed the suit in February. He claims the tribe's electronic Class II devices violate state law.

The tribe responds that the state lacks jurisdiction in Indian Country. A letter that was filed in federal court shows Strange argued that exact same point as part of a non-Indian gaming dispute.

“Federal law governs those facilities, and I do not have jurisdiction to enforce either federal or Alabama law against them,” Strange wrote in a letter to a non-Indian gaming operator.

The tribe is calling for the lawsuit to be dismissed.

Get the Story:
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