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The Poarch Band of Creek Indians from Alabama has just announced a brand-new approach for the legalization of casino gaming and sports betting in the state. Instead of seeking out legalization only in the legislative session, it will focus on legalization throughout the entire year. Alabama is still one of the few US states with no lottery, and legislators have regularly tried to introduce the legislation, along with casino gaming and sports betting, with no luck for a good number of years. In the face of repeated legislative setbacks, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians is adopting a new, year-round strategy to push for the legalization of casino gambling and sports betting in Alabama. The move signals a shift in how the tribe plans to build momentum behind an issue that has long divided lawmakers, despite strong public support. Rethinking the strategy Rather than waiting for the next legislative session, PCI leaders are working to keep the conversation about legalized gambling alive throughout the whole year. Arthur Mothershed, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Government Relations for Wind Creek Hospitality - the tribe’s gaming arm - emphasized the need for a more proactive approach. "I think too often we wait until the session starts and then we start working for this agenda or trying to push this agenda across the finish line," Mothershed said. "I think we've got to do a better job of getting the voices of the people heard." The tribe plans to launch a series of polling initiatives and focus groups before the summer to fine-tune its messaging and build grassroots support. Alabama's gambling landscape Alabama remains one of only five states with no state lottery, and efforts to establish one have consistently failed in the legislature over the last 25 years. In recent years, proposed legislation has expanded beyond a lottery to include casino gambling and sports betting - but disagreements over specifics such as revenue allocation have stalled progress. Despite these political hurdles, public opinion is decidedly in favor of bringing gambling to the state. Polls show that up to 80% of Alabamians support the opportunity to vote on a lottery, and many are open to broader gambling reforms. Amplifying tribal voices The Poarch Band of Creek Indians currently operates three electronic bingo casinos in the state and has been increasingly vocal about the need for expanded gambling options. The tribe acknowledges it must do more to advocate for the communities it serves and the economic benefits legalized gambling could bring. "We're already in the process of setting up more polling before the summer even starts, putting together some focus groups so that we can get a better message to the legislators," stated Mothershed. In a show of commitment, PCI bought the Birmingham Race Course last year and partnered with the influential lobbying company Fine Geddie. The tribe had even begun preparing for extensive renovations at its facilities, anticipating the passage of a comprehensive casino gambling bill. According to projections, legalized gambling could bring over 10,000 jobs to Alabama, along with significant new revenue for the state. Facing political resistance Still, the road to legalization remains steep. After another failed attempt at passing gambling legislation earlier this year, Senator Greg Albritton, a longtime supporter of the initiative, declared the issue effectively dormant for the foreseeable future. "We've been struggling with this for 25 - 26 years already...I don't see anything changing," said Albritton, expressing doubt that consensus among lawmakers could be reached anytime soon. The sentiment contrasts with public opinion and the stance of Governor Kay Ivey, who has signaled openness to a voter referendum on the issue. However, a lack of alignment among lawmakers continues to block meaningful progress. The Poarch Creek's new strategy aims to bridge that divide by mobilizing voters and reshaping the narrative around gambling in Alabama. With increased outreach and a more sustained lobbying effort, the tribe hopes to turn public support into political action.

A well-timed victory by Xtreme Gaming in the Asian Champions League now puts them on the driver’s seat to represent China in the Esports World Cup. The Dota 2 team is now eager to take on the challenge this August and looks to continue their hot groove after finishing strong for the recent Chinese Qualifier event. Coming off massive roster adjustments in which they had to replace position 5 support player Qiancheng “Undyne_” Li with a veteran star in Jiang “天命 (Tian ming)” An, Xtreme Gaming looked good in this campaign in the ACL. It seems that they are finally reaping the benefits of this roster shift after they lost their ESL One Raleigh 2025 slot. This win comes off as a promising groove setter for the team now more than ever, especially with the TI 2025 Regional Qualifiers also coming in hot. The stakes are higher than ever, and it seems that there’s more to expect from Xtreme Gaming with their chances of being the first Asian team who could clinch the EWC title now more than ever. Massive Win to Remember Both Xtreme Gaming and Team Tidebound have been deemed to be the best teams in China over the years. It is definitely destiny that these two teams managed to meet up in the final of the Asian Champions League 2025 and gave fans a promising showdown to remember. Xtreme managed to knock out Tidebound in a 3-2 win in the Grand Finals, walking away with the $100,000 prize money. The ACL, organized by ESL Gaming, DreamHack, and Hero Esports, was held live at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. However, this tournament featured a different pace as it was held only on a single day – with four teams playing in a compact single-elimination format. As one of the strongest teams in China, it is a promising look to see Xtreme Gaming thrive on the big stage. What makes this win even more crucial is the fact that they managed to lock into a spot for the Esports World Cup – because Tidebound was recently named one of the eight directly invited teams to The International (TI) 2025. More Than Just a Win The victory puts Xtreme Gaming in a promising position to be one of the teams to go for a shot at the massive $3 million prize pool in the Esports World Cup. However, Xtreme Gaming's journey to the Esports World Cup is not without challenges. While their regional dominance is evident, their performance in international tournaments has been inconsistent. Notably, despite a strong showing in the Games of the Future 2024, where they clinched the championship by defeating LGD in the grand finals, they faced early elimination at The International 2024, falling to Team Spirit in a decisive 2-1 series. This fluctuation in performance highlights the unpredictable nature of the competitive Dota 2 landscape. This victory underscores their resilience and strategic depth, essential qualities for success on the international stage. The roster's recent changes, including the return of seasoned players like Ame, Xxs, and XinQ, alongside the appointment of veteran coach Xiao8, have revitalized the team's dynamics, bringing a blend of experience and synergy that could prove pivotal in high-stakes tournaments. Now more than ever, it seems that Xtreme Gaming is definitely in need of a chance to prove its worth on the big stage and send its presence to another level as well.