The Poarch
Creek Indians sought federal approval Tuesday for their
plan to hold live poker games at the tribe's bingo hall
near Atmore.
Since the tribe lacks a gaming compact with the state of
Alabama, only Class II games are allowed and Class III
casino-type gambling is prohibited.
Arthur Mothershed, the tribe's chief financial officer
for gaming, said the tribe plans to open nine tables
Thanksgiving weekend with three types of poker: Texas
holdem, Omaha and stud poker. Mothershed said the tribe
believes that poker can be legally offered as Class II
gaming.
Players would have chips and cards, but they would bet
against each other, not against the house, Mothershed
said. The tribe would collect a share of each game. If
it's popular, poker will be offered at the tribe's
Montgomery and Wetumpka gaming centers, he said.
The
announcement prompted a meeting between tribe officials
and U.S. attorneys from the middle and southern
districts of Alabama. U.S. Attorney Leura Canary
confirmed a meeting was set for Tuesday, but declined to
discuss it.
John
Giles, a gambling opponent and president of the
Christian Coalition of Alabama, said live poker is
unlawful. "The National Indian Gaming Commission needs
to rein in the Poarch Creeks," he said.
A
1999 opinion by the National Indian Gaming Commission
concluded poker is a Class II game provided players
don't bet against the house, and poker games are "not
explicitly prohibited by the laws of the state, and are
played at any location in the state."
Poarch attorney Mays Jemison of Montgomery said other
tribes have offered live poker.
"We
are analyzing it so we can see if it can be done under
Alabama law," Jemison said.
John
Matson, deputy press secretary to Gov. Bob Riley, said
Monday that Riley had not been informed about the
tribe's plans. The governor intends to discuss the plans
with his legal advisers and with Alabama Attorney
General Troy King, Matson said.
Tribe officials announced their intentions on their Web
site last week and began holding interviews for dealers.
