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Editorial: Poarch Creeks operate largest Class II empire in US

The Alabama Constitution prohibits gambling, but the Alabama Legislature and voters, through constitutional amendment, allowed exemptions for pari-mutuel betting on races in four locations and charitable bingo in 18 counties. The distinction of these Class II gambling exemptions is important, as the federal government, which oversees Indian affairs, will allow gambling on Indian lands only to the extent that is allowed within that state.

That means the Poarch Band of Creek Indians could operate Class II gambling on its lands in Alabama.

Therein lies the rub: the federal government views electronic bingo as Class II gambling, the same as paper bingo. The state of Alabama argues that electronic bingo games are slot machines – Class III devices – and are illegal, not only in Alabama, but in tribal gambling halls as well.

So with non-tribal electronic bingo halls idled, the tribal casinos are flourishing; the North American Gaming Almanac notes that the Poarch Creek casinos operate 4,200 electronic bingo machines – roughly two-thirds of all tribal electronic bingo in America.