BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The Birmingham Race Course Casino will soon be under new management.
On Monday, Wind Creek Hospitality, owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, announced an agreement with Birmingham Race Course and Casino Owners the McGregor family to acquire
the space.
The plan is to enhance gaming and entertainment options to the Magic City while keeping the current horse racing games at the facility.
The agreement is expected to be finalized in early 2025.
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“We have a number of first rate, integrated gaming resorts. We look forward to bringing that to Birmingham. Birmingham is a tremendous city that’s growing, that’s very vibrant and for us we get to work with a new customer base,” said Wind Creek Hospitality President and CEO Jay Dorris.
Birmingham City Councilor and Chair of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee Hunter Williams said the vision to enhance the space is needed and can draw in tourism.
“We’ve kind of seen the facility go in the direction where it’s not as robust as it used to be,” said Williams. “When you have such a robust site like that and a name like the Poarch Creek looking to acquire something like that, there is a ton of hope and really endless economic
potential that will be absolutely amazing for that site.”
The new ownership also presents discussion surrounding the possibility of legal gambling at the facility.
“The thought is that with this purchase, that that means PCI can go forward and do everything that they’re doing, and this becomes now a reservation trust land and that they can expand and do whatever they’re doing in Wetumpka, Montgomery and Atmore. That is not the case,” said Alabama Senator Greg Albritton.
Senator Albritton, who presented a comprehensive gambling plan last Legislative Session that passed in the House but ultimately failed in the Senate, said, despite its new ownership under Wind Creek Hospitality, a comprehensive gambling plan must be presented and passed by the state legislature, which he says has been a sticking point since 2015.
“While this may remove an obstacle, it doesn’t solve the problems or bring new bowls to the table,” said Albritton.
With the next legislative session slowly approaching, a new comprehensive gambling plan could once again be presented.
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