A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the state which challenged the rights of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to operate three casinos in Alabama.
The Montgomery Advertiser reports that U.S. District Court Judge Keith Watkins ruled Friday that the state has no authority to prohibit the activity on Indian lands.
Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange said in a statement that Alabama officials intend to appeal the court ruling. A spokesperson said the appeal would be filed as quickly as possible with the full Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians has casinos in Atmore, Montgomery and Wetumpka. Their casinos have electronic games, but no table games. The Poarch Creeks are among 243 tribes conducting gambling in 28 states.
