Running Ace argued in an amended lawsuit Tuesday that federal law completely prohibits American Indian tribes from having exclusive rights to operate gambling operations, and that a Minnesota tribe could sell video slots and video games of chance. They argued that they violated state law by providing the information.
The truck, located northeast of the Twin Cities of Columbus, has asked a court to block what it considers illegal gambling. Running Ace, one of two racetracks in the state, is also seeking unspecified monetary damages from the managers and executives who run the casino operation.
Taro Ito, CEO and president of Running Ace, said in a written statement, “For decades, tribal casinos and certain politicians have prohibited gaming in Minnesota, including electronic video games of probability. ) has continued to falsely claim that it has exclusive rights over He added that federal law prohibits exclusive rights to tribes, and Minnesota law prohibits electronic video games of chance.
The lawsuit amends a federal racketeering lawsuit filed by Running Ace in U.S. District Court last month. In the first lawsuit, Running Aces alleged that three tribal casinos offered card games that were not authorized under state law. The truck now claims that the casino also illegally offers video games.
The first lawsuit names executives from the Grand Casinos in Hinckley and Mille Lacs, owned by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, and the Treasure Island Resort and Casino, owned by the Prairie Island Indian Community. The complaint was filed under the Federal Racketeers Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
The first lawsuit alleges that Grand Casino and Treasure Island offered card games that were not authorized by the state's gaming agreement. Currently, Running Aces says these casinos, along with Mystic Lake and Little Six, also offer prohibited video games.
The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association did not respond to a request for comment.
According to the complaint, under the federal Indian Gaming Regulation Act (IGRA) of 1988, gambling activities such as video slots and casino card games may only be allowed by tribes if expressly permitted by the state and not permitted by the state of Minnesota. legal on land.
“Thus, all of these activities constitute gambling 'in violation of Minnesota criminal law and federal law,' and these violations form the basis of Defendants' RICO violations,” Running Ace said in a written release.
Running Aces itself offers casino card games such as Blackjack, Three Card Poker, and Ultimate Texas Hold'em. The complaint said the tribal casino had an “unlawful and unfair competitive advantage over Running Ace” by offering illegal games.
The filing is likely to increase tensions on Capitol Hill, as Congress must adjourn by Monday's deadline. Lawmakers came to the meeting ready to discuss legalizing mobile sports betting, but discussions have stalled without bipartisan agreement on the bill.
The bill introduced by the DFL majority would give the state's American Indian tribes exclusive licensing rights and allow each tribe to partner with one gaming platform, such as DraftKings or FanDuel, to offer mobile wagering. .
Track and its Republican supporters argue that expanding tribal gambling would hurt them and perhaps force them out of business. Mobile betting allows Minnesotans to gamble on their mobile phones anytime, anywhere. They don't need to go to the casino.
The racecourse is encouraging Congress to allow it to offer historic horse racing (HHR), which it claims will attract customers and generate much-needed revenue to support live horse racing. The Minnesota Horse Racing Board voted to legalize HHR in early April, and DFL leaders immediately condemned the action.
On Monday, Sen. Matt Klein, DFL-Mendota Heights, said banning HHR is a DFL priority in the final days of this Congress.
Ito said racetracks want to be treated fairly and “take advantage of the improvements in the pari-mutuel environment and operate without fear of being excluded.”