Casino Cash
[gtxvideo vid=”KIvdEfgu” playlist=”” pid=”XiOflQdH” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/KIvdEfgu.jpg” vtitle=”Extra: Casino Cash”]
WindCreek Casino Wetumpka along with its sister properties in Montgomery and Atmore do very well for themselves. The casinos rake in hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Some frown upon their business, but could they be changing negative opinions about gambling with their growing number of outreach efforts over the years?
“I think that’s a misnomer. We’ve been giving back to the community ever since we had the opportunity to give back. It’s one of those things we’ve always wanted to be good corporate citizens, but also good corporate neighbors,” said Robert McGhee, Vice Chair of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
The tribe runs the casinos which pump thousands of dollars back into communities around the state.
“We always prided ourselves on being the friendly creek Indians and I think now that we’ve had the opportunity to bring wealth to the area, we wanted to share that wealth to other individuals, other communities and other organizations,” said McGhee.
One of its community partnerships is with Alabama Shakespeare Festival. WindCreek sponsored the first two Benefit the Bard concerts as well a play each year.
“I think they’re a great corporate citizen and we’re very proud to align ourselves with them,” said Eve Loeb, ASF’s Development Director.
She says the organization had no problem teaming up with Windcreek because of its business.
“It is a controversial topic, our board discussed partnering with WindCreek Hospitality for about two seconds and they said we’re very proud because they are such a big hearted corporation; a wonderful corporate citizen.”
Diana Christy with Alabama Certified Public Accountants agrees. Her organization partnered with WindCreek to bring the group’s annual conference to Montgomery this year.
“We didn’t let that bother us we don’t think people are getting dragged in off the street to go into the casino, they’re going there voluntarily because they choose to do that. They’re just another member of the business community as far as we’re concerned,” said Christy.
“I’ve been in the casino industry for over 20 years and I’ve seen the power of our type of business. It transforms communities, it’s transforms lives,” said Cathye Amos, Director of Marketing for WindCreek Wetumpka.
Not everyone is happy about how the Poarch Band of Creeks Indians earns its money. In the past State Attorney General Luther Strange has gone after the WindCreek Casinos because he believe electronic gambling is illegal, but a federal judge quashed that effort ruling Alabama has no say on what goes on on Indian lands.
Do you think organizations should accept donations or sponsorships from gaming establishments. Join the conversation by leaving a comment.
