Profits up for Indian gaming in Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A new national report shows Indian gambling in Alabama is growing by record numbers, while revenue from non-Indian gambling keeps falling. Casino City's North American Gaming Almanac says total gambling revenue in Alabama grew by 25 percent in 2011, which was the biggest increase in the nation. It was fueled by Indian gambling, which grew more than 26 percent. Almanac editor-in-chief Vin Narayanan says Poarch Creek Indian casinos have benefited from the state's shutdown of non-Indian sites. The report says revenue from Alabama's dog tracks declined 2.4 percent in 2011. That trend has been going on for several years. Only two of Alabama's four dog tracks still offer live racing. The other two have simulcast races from other tracks.