Minnesota Sports Betting Legislation Sparks Lawsuit by Running Aces Against Tribal Casinos
Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack has taken legal action against three tribal casinos. Filed this Tuesday in the US District Court for the District of Minnesota, the lawsuit accuses the tribal entities of violating the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) by allegedly conducting illegal card games.
Details of the Lawsuit
The controversy stems from the operation of specific card games, namely Three Card Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold’em, which Running Aces contends are not authorized under the existing state-tribal gaming compacts.
This legal challenge is closely tied to broader legislative debates over the future of sports betting in Minnesota.
The lawsuit coincides with the introduction of new legislation by Rep. Zack Stephenson, aimed at banning historical horse racing (HHR) at Minnesota tracks—a decision that has sparked significant backlash from the racing sector.
A Bill aligns with tribal opposition following a Minnesota Racing Commission decision that approved HHR at these tracks starting this summer.
Political Dynamics and Sports Betting Negotiations
As the Minnesota legislative session nears its close on May 20, the tension between horse racing tracks and tribal casinos is at the heart of negotiations over sports betting.
While the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) party, which controls the legislature, generally supports granting exclusive sports betting rights to tribal casinos, there is notable intra-party opposition that necessitates bipartisan cooperation.
Concurrently, Republican legislators are pushing for inclusion of the state’s horse racing tracks in any finalized sports betting legislation.
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