[EscAlaMike]

Originally Posted by Elma Smith

What I want to know is why is everyone talking about the Poarch Creek Band of Indians as if they are running operations illegally? They have a right to become self sufficent as well as the next person. If you can not speak with words of encouragement then sometimes it is better to remain quiet.
PCI Member,
Elma Darlene Smith

This is true, but the problem is that they have a government-protected monopoly. If I wanted to open a competing casino down the road from Wind Creek, do I have a right to do that? Absolutely not, because gambling is illegal in Alabama. And PCI damn sure wants to keep it that way.

[Reactionary]

FSUMike - yep, the Federal government protects Poarch gaming, even though it is against State law. One problem is that the State until recently didn't enforce the State law consistently - now that the law is being enforced, I expect that the State and Feds will have a go in court. Also, the State could negotiate a compact (treaty) with the sovereign Creek nation (to collect taxes), although the Creeks are in a better position (protected Federal monopoly) to negotiate terms.

[bessie617777]

If you want to gamble, don't go to Wind Creek Casino in Atmore. You are not gambling there, you are just throwing away your money. We have been going there for at least 3 years. I don't expect to win most of the time, but every once in awhile, would be nice. They paid off this casino & hotel in about 3 years. They added the theater and cooking school. They are building a bowling alley and something else up front. Where did they get this money? From you and me. They only have a few short periods of time each day when they loosen up the machines so you "may" have a chance to win. This time is usually half an hour before a tour bus leaves so that customers win a little before they leave and will be enticed to come back, even though they lost way more before this half hour. And the million dollar give aways. The winners are always the high rollers because they have more entries or points. The money for these winners comes from regular gamblers like you & me because we out number the high rollers by far. Since Wind Creek is not regulated, it's like they have a license to steal.

It would be nice if they would spread the million dollars and other expensive give-a-ways to the regular gamblers. The last few times we have been there, the casino was probably about 20% full. People are tired of losing their money to benefit Wind Creek and the high rollers. Take the extra time to go to Biloxi. You have a better chance and at least a choice of casino's that are regulated. BL #130342

[EscAlaMike]

Originally Posted by bessie617777

If you want to gamble, don't go to Wind Creek Casino in Atmore. You are not gambling there, you are just throwing away your money. We have been going there for at least 3 years. I don't expect to win most of the time, but every once in awhile, would be nice. They paid off this casino & hotel in about 3 years. They added the theater and cooking school. They are building a bowling alley and something else up front. Where did they get this money? From you and me. They only have a few short periods of time each day when they loosen up the machines so you "may" have a chance to win. This time is usually half an hour before a tour bus leaves so that customers win a little before they leave and will be enticed to come back, even though they lost way more before this half hour. And the million dollar give aways. The winners are always the high rollers because they have more entries or points. The money for these winners comes from regular gamblers like you & me because we out number the high rollers by far. Since Wind Creek is not regulated, it's like they have a license to steal.

It would be nice if they would spread the million dollars and other expensive give-a-ways to the regular gamblers. The last few times we have been there, the casino was probably about 20% full. People are tired of losing their money to benefit Wind Creek and the high rollers. Take the extra time to go to Biloxi. You have a better chance and at least a choice of casino's that are regulated. BL #130342

And yet you've been going there for three years....

Gamblers' Anonymous?