Alabama’s Poarch Creek Indians One Step Closer to Opening Casino Resort in Illinois

Atmore, AL — The Poarch Band of Creek Indians and its tribal gaming business, Wind Creek Hospitality, today jointly announced that the Illinois Gaming Board has approved Wind Creek Hospitality’s bid to build a hotel and casino in Chicago. Specifically, the Gaming Board’s ruling found Wind Creek’s plan “preliminarily suitable” for the much sought after south suburban casino license. Plans call for the new south suburban casino to open in 2023.

The Tribe currently owns three hotel and casino resorts in Alabama, one in Pennsylvania, and two in the Caribbean. Its existing gaming businesses have garnered accolades both in the U.S. and internationally. These include coveted AAA Four Diamond ratings being awarded to several of its hotel and casino resorts.

Poarch Band of Creek Indians Chairwoman and CEO, Stephanie A. Bryan, said:

“I am extremely proud that the Illinois Gaming Board recognizes the value of our Alabama-based Wind Creek Hospitality brand. We have seen the positive impact that our gaming businesses have had in our home state, as well as in Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Aruba and Curacao in the Caribbean. We know that gaming done the right way offers opportunities for economic development and job creation that can improve the quality of life in the communities where we make long-term investments. We are excited and honored to bring our business to Illinois and be a part of the greater Chicago community.”

Wind Creek Hospitality President and CEO, Jay Dorris, stated:

“As the Tribe’s gaming and hospitality entity, we are excited to work with stakeholders and leaders in the Chicago area to show what we can do. I want to thank the Illinois Gaming Board for their diligence and look forward to our continued relationship.”

In addition to its gaming businesses, the Tribe owns and operates a diverse set of enterprises ranging from a family oriented amusement and indoor water park, several co-branded hotels through Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority (CIEDA) to companies that serve state and federal customers. Those include Media Fusion, Muskogee Technology, and PCI Aviation, operating through Poarch Creek Indians Federal Services (PCIFS).

All together, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians oversees over 20 businesses that have a major economic impact in the State of Alabama.

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The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is the only federally recognized tribe in Alabama. From hospitality to aerospace, we continue to operate in a variety of industries across the World. Read more about our Tribe here.