The Poarch Band of Creek Indians originally descended from Muscogee Creek Indigenous people, with descendants of the Poarch Band founding the Creek Nation in the 1600s, alongside other notable tribes in the area.
Following the Indian Removal, scattered members of the Indian families found one another and formed the Poarch Creek Indians. By the late 1800s, there were four main communities left; Hog Fork, Bell Creek, Poarch Switch and Headapadea.
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians opened the Creek Bingo Palace on April 13, 1985. Wind Creek Hospitality would be founded a few years later, with multiple casinos and gambling facilities around the US now operated by the tribe.
The Tribal Leadership consists of Stephanie Bryan, Tribal Chair and CEO; Robert McGhee, Vice Chairman; Amy Bryan Gantt, Treasurer; Charlotte Meckel, Secretary; and Dewitt Carter, Sandy Hollinger, Keith Martin, Arthur Mothershed and Justin Stabler as Councilmen and Councilwomen.
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Gaming Commission is led by Sharon Smiley as Chair, with Keesha Frye, Wayne Colbert, Linda Brooks, Raymond Rolin, Debra Strickland and Tami McGhee as Commissioners.
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians own the Wind Creek Hospitality brand, with several properties across sovereign tribal land in Alabama and the US. The tribe also owns majority stakes in a number of racetracks.
Located in Alabama and opened on January 6, 2009, Wind Creek Atmore has over 1,700 electronic machines, including progressive, multi-line and multi-coin games. The casino also includes a High Limits Room.
The casino would undergo renovations immediately to open the Wind Creek Atmore Hotel on January 31, 2009. A few months later, in June, Wind Creek Atmore would open a spa, cooking studio, fitness center, resort pool and amphitheater. A family entertainment center would be opened in October 2013.
Located in Alabama, this venue was opened December 2013. Wind Creek Wetumpka has over 2,000 electronic casino machines, with denominations ranging from 1¢ to $50. The games include progressives and multi-line titles. There is also a High Limits Room.
The Wind Creek Wetumpka Hotel was opened in February 2014 and includes 283 rooms and suites plus the Spa Reserve.
Opening in December 2015, this Alabama-based location offers over 2,200 electronic casino games, with denominations up to $100 in the High Limits Room.
In 2016, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians partnered with the Washoe Tribe to finance the construction of the Wa She Shu Casino. As part of the deal, the Poarch Band would manage the property once it opened.
However, it was announced that from July 1, 2023, the building and management would be handed over to the Washoe Development Corp.
When the Poarch Band of Creek Indians acquired Aruba Renaissance Resort & Casino in a purchase in October 2017, it was stated that the resorts would continue to operate under the Renaissance brand, a registered trademark of Marriott.
The properties offer slot machines, table games, poker and sports betting, as well as additional hospitality services such as spas, wedding facilities and private islands.
Located in Pennsylvania, the former Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem was first opened on May 22, 2009 and re-branded in May 2019. The property was renovated several times to create room for more table games, poker rooms and hotel operations.
In March 2018, it was announced that the casino would be sold to Wind Creek Hospitality for $1.3bn. The sale was completed in May and the property was renamed to Wind Creek Bethlehem in July.
The Betfred sportsbook was opened on November 18, 2020.
In total, the Wind Creek Bethlehem casino offers over 3,000 slot machines, 200 table games and several electronic table games. There is also a dedicated poker room with 30 tables.
Located in Alabama and purchased in June 2009, Mobile Greyhound Park offers simulcasting of daily Greyhound, Horse and Jai Alai.
Located in Florida and purchased in June 2009 this property also offers simulcasting of daily Greyhound, Horse and Jai Alai, as well as live poker.
Much like the Pensacola Greyhound Park & Poker Room, Creek Entertainment Gretna is based in Florida and offers simulcasting of daily Greyhound, Horse and Jai Alai, as well as live poker. It was purchased in December 2011.
The projected open date for this property is 2025.
Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority (CIEDA) is an authority that focuses on creating business opportunities within the tourism, hospitality, manufacturing and retail sectors, plus executes and oversees building, construction and development projects commissioned by the Tribe.
Ecke Holding Company was formed under the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to provide high-quality products and services to Federal agencies and the Department of Defense.
Park at OWA is a family amusement park at Foley, Alabama that was a collaborative project between the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the City of Foley and the Foley Sports Tourism Complex. The facility includes several indoor water parks, rides and various entertainment.
Internet Vikings CEO & Founder Rickard Vikström joins Gaming America to discuss the US online landscape in 2025.
In the last 30 years, Tribal gaming has gone from fighting for a place at the table to having a permanent seat. Having been with Mohegan for 24 years, in this CEO Special edition of the Huddle we spoke to Mohegan President and CEO Ray Pineault, where we discussed: The importance of teamwork His early law career and coming to Mohegan Balancing work life and family life The development of Tribal gaming during his 24 years with Mohegan Mohegan's bid for New York What Mohegan means to him.
