- Wind Creek Hospitality now owns the Birmingham Racecourse in Alabama
- Casino gambling remains illegal in the Cotton State
- Legislative efforts to allow slots, table games, and sports betting continue
Wind Creek Hospitality has completed its purchase of the Birmingham Racecourse from the McGregor family.
Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming and hospitality arm of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the only federally recognized Native American community in Alabama, continues to expand its gaming portfolio with the Birmingham Racecourse. Once a venue for horse and greyhound racing, the facility ceased live racing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wind Creek’s interest is in the racecourse’s gaming operations, which include about 300 slot-like historical horse racing (HHR) machines and simulcast parimutuel wagering. HHR outcomes are parimutuel wagering devices, with the outcomes dependent on previously run horse races. The gaming facility is open 24/7.
While the Birmingham Racecourse will immediately provide the tribe with another gaming revenue stream and expand its footprint into the north-central part of the state and Alabama’s second most populated city, Wind Creek has bigger plans in store for the property.
Casino Dreams
The Alabama state government has refused to enter into a Class III gaming compact with the Poarch Creek Indians, which means its tribal casinos cannot have traditional slot machines, live dealer table games, or sports betting. Wind Creek Atmore, Montgomery, and Wetumpka instead have Class II gaming, with the main product being slot-like electronic bingo machines.
The tribe has no historical ties to Birmingham, meaning it cannot operate Class II gaming there. However, the tribe continues to lobby lawmakers to authorize commercial and Class III tribal casinos. If that happens, the tribe says it would invest in building a commercial casino at the Birmingham track.
In the meantime, Wind Creek says it will invest in an overhaul of the HHR property to create a “world-class destination resort in Birmingham,” said Jay Dorris, president and CEO of PCI Gaming Authority.
We are excited to finalize this acquisition and begin a new chapter for the Birmingham Racecourse. Our vision is to build upon the strong foundation that is already in place while enhancing the facility to create a first-class entertainment destination that benefits the Birmingham community and the region,” Dorris said.
Along with its tribal casinos in Alabama, Wind Creek owns and operates Wind Creek Bethlehem in Pennsylvania, Wind Creek Chicago Southland in Illinois, Wind Creek Aruba, Wind Creek Curacao, and Magic City Casino in Miami.
Plan Forthcoming
With the Birmingham Racecourse transaction executed, Wind Creek officials say they’ll move forward with a market study to determine possible amenities and investments to improve the marketability of the HHR racino. Whether that entails new restaurants, meeting and convention space, and/or a hotel will be announced later.
“The redevelopment of the Birmingham Racecourse will create jobs, drive tourism, and further establish our city as a key player in the entertainment and hospitality industry,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin.
State Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Range) says legislative discussions regarding casinos continue in the Montgomery capital. Albritton was the deciding “no” vote last year on a gaming package compromise that would have allowed Wind Creek to include slots, tables, and sportsbooks into their operations.
The omission of allowing the tribe to pursue a casino development in the northern part of the state, however, was Albritton’s reason for voting against the measure. Alabama’s 2025 legislative session runs through May 15.
The post Wind Creek Hospitality Has Big Plans for Birmingham Racecourse appeared first on Casino.org.
Source link
