State’s Attempt to Shutdown Indian Casinos
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ATLANTA (AP) – Lawyers for the State of Alabama and a casino-operating Indian tribe sparred before the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals over whether the state can take the tribe to court over its gambling operations.
A three-judge panel heard arguments in Alabama’s appeal Tuesday after a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
The state attorney general’s office says the tribe is operating illegal slot machines, which are not allowed without a compact with the state.
Tribe lawyer Adam Charnes said Alabama has no jurisdiction on Indian land. He said a federal commission decides whether the machines are bingo games, which are allowed with a compact, or slot machines.
The tribe has three casinos in Alabama.
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