Wind Creek Hospitality Set to Acquire Historic Birmingham Racing and Casino Complex

Wind Creek Hospitality Set to Acquire Historic Birmingham Racing and Casino Complex

By Michael Davidson

November 21, 2024 at 05:16 AM

Wind Creek Hospitality, owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, has agreed to acquire the Birmingham Racecourse and Casino in Alabama from the McGregor family. The deal is expected to close in early 2025.

Wind Creek Casino building exterior view

Wind Creek Casino building exterior view

The facility, which ended live greyhound racing in March 2020, currently operates about 300 historical horse racing (HHR) machines and offers simulcast parimutuel wagering on horses and greyhounds.

Wind Creek Hospitality's President and CEO Jay Dorris emphasized the shared goals between the companies, including entertainment provision, tourism attraction, and economic growth in Alabama.

The acquisition will add to Wind Creek's existing Alabama portfolio, which includes three tribal casinos: Wind Creek Atmore, Wind Creek Montgomery, and Wind Creek Wetumpka. Since the property won't be converted to tribal land, it will continue operating as a parimutuel wagering facility.

The McGregor family, who has owned the facility since 1992, will now focus on their Victoryland property and advocate for unified gaming legislation in Alabama. According to Lewis Benefield, president of Birmingham Racecourse Casino and Victoryland, this decision was influenced by Alabama's restrictive gaming laws.

Wind Creek continues to expand its presence in the US gaming market, with the upcoming Wind Creek Chicago Southland in Illinois featuring:

  • 70,000-square-foot casino
  • 1,400 slot machines
  • 56 table games
  • Poker room and sportsbook
  • 252 hotel rooms
  • 75,000-square-foot entertainment venue
  • 12,000 square feet of event space
  • Multiple restaurants and bars

The purchase price for the Birmingham facility remains undisclosed.

Related Articles

Previous Articles