Indian Tribe Gambles

Business Matters
Copyright ©2009 Tallahassee Democrat
Sunday, August 30, 2009

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is taking a gamble. The move by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to buy a controlling interest in the Pensacola Greyhound Track probably dooms any plans for a bingo casino on Perdido Key.

That's assuming there were any real, viable plans by the casino developers in the first place.

There was a lot of talk and a hastily approved development order issued by Escambia County back in March. But since then not a dime has been spent nor a shovel of dirt turned.

By taking control of the Pensacola track and it's pari-mutuel status, the Poarch group, incorporated as PCI Gaming Authority, is taking a gamble.

The group is betting the Florida Legislature, pushed along by Gov. Charlie Crist, will relax laws governing slots operating on regulated pari-mutuel properties throughout the state.

Rumor has it that Crist may call a special session of the Legislature this fall to deal with this issue. If state laws are changed, it almost certainly will include a provision that slot machines at pari-mutuel tracks must be approved in a countywide referendum.