All major casino-style, slot machine-type gambling facilities in the state are shut down, at least all the ones not on an Indian reservation.
But if Gov. Bob Riley has anything to do with it, then the three facilities run by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in Atmore, Wetumpka and Montgomery will be closed soon. He plans to ask federal officials to shut down the machines being labeled electronic bingo.
John Tyson, commander of the Governor’s Task Force on Illegal Gambling, said, “We’ve said all along that we were to establish clearly that the state of Alabama outlaws slot machines and we have the [authority to enforce the law].
“The (Oct. 4) federal indictment (of 11 people arrested in an FBI ‘bingo’ probe) explains in better detail that what we are battling here is not just illegal gambling; it is corruption in the state of Alabama and we’ve made quite a bit of progress in that regard,” Tyson said. “Now it’s time for us to take these developments to the Indian Gaming Commission and insist that they enforce Alabama law as well.
“We have planned from day one to do that, so when the governor is speaking now it’s not a new idea,” he said. “It’s just an announcement of the plan he’s had from the beginning. We are preparing for those arguments right now.”
Tyson said the next step is likely a personal visit to the National Indian Gaming Commission in Washington.
Officials with PCI (Poarch Creek Indians) Gaming in Atmore could not be reached by press time, but PCI Gaming President Jay Dorris was quoted by The Birmingham News as saying, “Bingo, as we play it, is acceptable.” (TAB)
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