By By Adam Prestridge
The state’s illegal gambling task force does not have jurisdiction over Wind Creek Casino and Hotel or other Poarch Creek properties, PCI Gaming officials said Friday.
Indian gaming facilities have to comply with the federal definition of electronic bingo.
PCI’s sites are certified for being compliant with regulations set forth by the National Indian Gaming Commission, said Jay Dorris, president and CEO of PCI Gaming.
Dorris said the PCI Indian sites are immune from Gov. Bob Riley’s illegal gambling task force and future raids by its leader, Mobile District Attorney John Tyson.“He does not have jurisdiction,” Dorris said.
Tyson’s office could not be reached for comment Friday.
PCI does have a stake in how other commercial gaming facilities in the state would be regulated because it has a controlling interest in the Mobile Greyhound Park. The proposed bill would regulate that facility as well as up to seven others in the state and allow the state to collect taxes from those properties.
As for the new $245 million Wind Creek Casino and Hotel in Atmore, the proposed bill would have no impact on it or any of the other Indian gaming facilities owned by PCI, Robert McGhee, governmental relations advisor for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, said.
Should the bill be passed, the possibilities for PCI Gaming are endless, Poarch officials said.