After months of whispers and innuendo, multiple sources have confirmed talks between the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PCI) and lawmakers in the Alabama Senate to pursue gambling expansion during the ongoing legislative session.
While the details of any proposed gambling legislation are lacking, sources have confirmed talks between PCI and lawmakers to produce gambling legislation this year after a similar effort by lawmakers fizzled last year.
PCI opposed a measure last year from House lawmakers to pass a comprehensive gambling bill package. One bill would legalize Class III gaming in specific areas in the state, approve a statewide lottery, legalize sports betting and create an enforcement mechanism for cracking down on illegal gambling. The other bill, a Constitutional Amendment, cleaned up the scattered local amendments legalizing gambling in localities in the state along with other provisions.
