NIGC confirms legality of Poarch Creek Class II bingo machines

Tuesday, March 22, 2011  

Electronic bingo machines operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians are legal, the National Indian Gaming Commission said in a letter to Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange.

Paper bingo is legal in the state. Therefore, any form of the game -- whether on paper or electronic -- can be operated by the tribe under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

"So long as a state permits the game of bingo, regardless of the state's definition of the game, an Indian tribe within that state may also play bingo as defined in IGRA," NIGC Chairwoman Tracie L. Stevens wrote in the letter, The Birmingham News reported.

A deputy attorney general said the state is concerned that some of the games operated by the tribe fall into the Class III category. The state has refused to negotiate a compact with the tribe.

Get the Story:
Poarch Creek bingo is legal, federal agency tells Alabama (The Birmingham News 3/21)

Related Stories:
Alabama governor supports crackdown on Poarch Creek bingo (2/16)
Alabama attorney general targets Poarch Creek bingo games (2/15)