Feds tell Alabama Indian games off limits

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – The federal agency that oversees Indian casinos has told Alabama’s attorney general that tribal casinos can operate games that don’t follow the state’s definition of bingo.

The acting general counsel for the National Indian Gaming Commission, Eric Shepard, stated the views in a letter to Attorney General Luther Strange. Shepard said Indians casinos aren’t bound by a state’s definition of bingo. He said that so long as a state allows bingo, like Alabama does, then tribes can operate games as defined by the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Strange said he disagrees with the federal agency’s position on the electronic games in Alabama’s three Indian casinos, and a suit he has filed in state court against the three casinos will determine who is right.