At least one member of the Alabama legislature has no intention to wait for Governor Kay Ivey’s study into how gambling could affect the state. Senator Greg Albritton introduced a bill that would provide the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PCI) a monopoly over all gambling rights, eliminating competition and binding the state to an agreement with the tribe.

The introduction of this bill came on the same day that the Governor’s Study Group on Gambling Policy held their initial meeting. It would grant the Porch Creeks complete rights to casino-style gaming. This would include slots, roulette, blackjack, and other table games. It would also give the tribe exclusive rights over sports betting and video lottery terminals.

The bill would allow two new casinos to be built in Alabama, specifically in Jefferson County and northern Alabama. The senator explained that the two additional sites would not be on tribal land. “The two new sites would be completely governed as any other corporation or business would be.”

In addition to giving the PCI these rights, it would ban all bingo machines except at tribal facilities, and would impose steep taxes and new licensing fees on all dog tracks. As part of the agreement, the Porch Creeks and promise that $1 billion would be funneled into the Alabama Department of Revenue.