Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming and hospitality arm of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, has announced its acquisition of the Birmingham Racecourse and Casino. The deal, expected to close by early 2025, positions Wind Creek to revamp the venue into a premier entertainment hub for the Southeastern United States.

Located in Alabama, the Birmingham Racecourse has long been a staple of the local gaming scene, offering parimutuel and historical horse racing games. Wind Creek plans to retain these offerings while implementing ambitious plans to modernize and expand the facility.

Wind Creek Hospitality CEO Jay Dorris expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating: “We are excited to bring the Birmingham Racecourse into the Wind Creek family. The McGregor family built and has operated the Birmingham Racecourse and Casino for decades. Over those years, it became clear to us that we share many of the same goals – providing great entertainment, attracting tourism, and creating economic growth in Alabama. We are really looking forward to welcoming their employees and to moving forward together.”

Challenges Faced by the McGregor Family

Under the ownership of the McGregor family, the Birmingham Racecourse contributed significantly to Alabama’s economy. However, evolving state gaming laws and enforcement challenges hindered their ability to compete with other facilities across the region.

Lewis Benefield, President of the Birmingham Racecourse and VictoryLand Casino, highlighted these obstacles: “The people of Birmingham desire the same types of entertainment offered at other facilities in and around Alabama. Unfortunately, differing state laws and enforcement actions regarding gaming have limited our ability to compete effectively. The McGregor family will now focus their efforts on VictoryLand in Macon County and advocate for unified gaming legislation in Alabama which would capture much-needed revenue for the people of Alabama.”

Strengthening Local Economy and Tourism

Wind Creek’s plans for the racecourse align with its broader mission to foster economic growth and job creation in Alabama. With three other properties already operating in Atmore, Montgomery, and Wetumpka, the company brings extensive experience in revitalizing gaming venues.

Stephanie Bryan, Tribal Chair and CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians emphasized the significance of this acquisition: “Birmingham is one of the most vibrant cities in America, and we feel very fortunate that this acquisition will allow us to increase the investment and deepen the relationships that we already have in Birmingham. When it comes to attracting tourism, this is an incredibly important area of the state. We are committed to building on the success of both the Birmingham Racecourse and Casino and our Wind Creek brand by ensuring that this property will keep tourist dollars here at home and provide jobs that support Alabama families.”

Local Support and Future Prospects

The acquisition has garnered praise from Birmingham officials, including City Councilor Hunter Williams, who noted the historical value of the racecourse. Williams expressed optimism about Wind Creek’s potential to revitalize the aging facility and enhance its appeal to tourists.

“Over the course of time, that facility has obviously aged and has some capital needs in terms of maintenance and bringing some vibrancy into that facility. We really don’t think there’s a better group than the Poarch Creek Indians to take it over,” Williams stated.

As the sale is finalized, Wind Creek will collaborate with local officials to refine expansion plans. With a strong track record and a vision for the future, the company aims to transform the Birmingham Racecourse into a leading entertainment destination.