Editorial: Drop challenge to Poarch Creek gaming enterprise

Attorney General Luther Strange is at odds with National Indian Gaming Commission over machines housed at Poarch Creek Indians’ casinos in Atmore, Wetumpka and Montgomery. The acting general counsel of the National Indian Gaming Commission has noted in writing that “Indian tribes are not bound by state definitions of the game of bingo when operating on Indian lands.”

Land owned by the Poarch Creek Indians is recognized by the federal government and, in this case, doesn’t fall under state provisions concerning bingo. That should be clear, but for years the state has made a big show of targeting locations over slot machines.

The state’s habitual attack on what it perceives as illegal gambling operations has more to do with an attempt at governing morals than anything else. Alabama politicians have made careers out of attacking “sin” through the years, mostly to gain votes from people.