The recent podcast and article featuring Poarch Creek Indian Chair Stephanie Bryan highlight an essential truth often overlooked in discussions about gaming in Alabama: tribal government gaming is fundamentally about helping people, strengthening communities, and improving lives.
Chair Bryan spoke clearly about the Poarch Creek Tribe’s deep commitment to benefiting Alabamians through various community initiatives and economic activities. This perspective resonates deeply with our own tribe. Across America, tribal governments consistently demonstrate that Indian gaming is fundamentally different from commercial gaming enterprises. While corporate gaming focuses primarily on shareholder profits and quarterly earnings reports, tribal gaming reinvests directly into communities and places people first.
Across the United States, successful tribal gaming operations offer clear evidence of how these revenues are responsibly and strategically used. The Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma directs gaming revenues into education, healthcare, elder care, and critical infrastructure projects that significantly enhance community life. Similarly, the Seminole Tribe of Florida invests gaming proceeds into robust healthcare facilities, educational initiatives, and community development efforts, creating thousands of jobs and significantly boosting local economies.
Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), tribal gaming is well-regulated and clearly established by federal law. IGRA ensures tribes negotiate gaming compacts directly with states on a government-to-government basis, safeguarding accountability, community benefit, and effective resource management.
According to the National Indian Gaming Association, tribal gaming nationwide directly supports roughly 300,000 jobs and generates substantial revenue for essential public services. Importantly, the economic benefits of tribal gaming extend far beyond reservation borders, strengthening neighboring towns, cities, and entire regions.
Here in Alabama, the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians—our state’s first officially recognized tribe since 1979—continues pursuing federal recognition. We are committed to community development, economic growth, and maintaining our cultural heritage for future generations. We strongly support Chair Bryan’s perspective that responsible tribal gaming can substantially benefit Alabama communities.
Very often across the country, political leaders who were initially skeptical or critical of tribal gaming become its strongest supporters once they witness firsthand the transformative effects it can have. Improvements in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and overall community wellness have a convincing way of changing minds and building consensus.
We respectfully urge Alabama’s lawmakers and citizens to support gaming legislation that is clearly worded, fair, and forward-thinking. Supporting responsible tribal gaming is not only about respecting tribal sovereignty—more importantly, it’s about good citizenship, responsible governance, and creating real, meaningful opportunities that benefit all Alabamians.
Let’s work together toward a stronger Alabama—one that invests in our people and communities, builds economic opportunity, and fosters lasting prosperity for all.
