La pratica di gioco d'azzardo elettronico dei club di carte non tribali sotto revisione per la validità legale in Minnesota
Sparks Fly in Minnesota Over Virtual Casino Dispute
The Minnesota Supreme Court is now grappling with a heated legal feud between Native American tribes and a suburban card club over electronic gambling. At the center of the squabble lies Running Aces, a card club nestled just north of Minneapolis-St. Paul, which has introduced electronic gaming tables using Interblock technology. These devices mimic traditional card games like blackjack and baccarat, allowing multiple players to join via touchscreens instead of real dealers.
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community - which runs a casino southwest of the Twin Cities - contends that these electronic tables breach state agreements, granting tribal casinos exclusive rights to such gaming forms. Attorney Josh Peterson, representing the tribe, asserts that these machines are digital slot machines that fall under the tribes’ exclusive gaming rights.
Conversely, Running Aces maintains its operations comply with the law. Evan Nelson, the club's lawyer, argued in court papers that the electronic tables are not deemed gambling devices under the law. He also downplayed the tribe's concerns about losing customers, stating there's no concrete evidence that these machines have drawn much footfall away from tribal casinos.
Splitting Eagles on "Table" Definition
The Minnesota Racing Commission approved Running Aces' 2023 plan to revamp its gaming floor and add another electronic dealer, setting off the legal sparring. The Sioux Community cried foul, claiming the club had breached its legal limit of 80 card tables because the electronic devices weren't properly classified[1]. However, a lower appeals court sided with the commission, stating it had correctly wielded its authority and hadn't delved into the nature of the electronic devices[2].
Justices scrutinizing the case expressed doubts over the definition of a "table" under state law. The Courthouse News Service reported that some judges worried about using general definitions and whether they may have industry-specific meanings not presented in the case record. Others expressed concern over the commission's guidelines regarding flexibility.
Complicating matters further, Running Aces continues to challenge the legality of the Sioux Community's case. Although an appellate court had already addressed this issue, the justices appear uncertain about the club's stance.
The court is set to deliver its judgement later this year. This decision will likely shape Minnesota's regulatory framework for electronic gambling, impacting both tribal casinos and non-tribal card clubs alike.
Enrichment Data:
- The legal tussle revolves around the disputed use of electronic gaming tables by Running Aces, implicating the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community's exclusive rights to offer video games of chance under state agreements[1][2][5].
- Running Aces defends its operations, arguing compliance with state law and the electronic tables not violating any agreements[2][5].
- The case reached the Minnesota Supreme Court after the Minnesota Racing Commission authorized the addition of electronic dealers at Running Aces, triggering objections from the tribes[2][4].
- The outcome of the court's decision will determine whether non-tribal card clubs can legally operate electronic table games[3][4].
- The ruling will have wide-ranging implications for the gaming industry in Minnesota, affecting both tribal casinos and non-tribal card clubs.
The dispute between the Native American tribes and Running Aces centers on the use of electronic gaming tables, including devices for blackjack and baccarat, at Running Aces, which reportedly breaches state agreements granting tribal casinos exclusive rights to such gaming forms. Despite Running Aces arguing compliance with the law, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community asserts these devices are digital slot machines under their exclusive gaming rights. This legal tussle, impacting both tribal casinos and non-tribal card clubs alike, is shaping Minnesota's regulatory framework for electronic gambling, with the Minnesota Supreme Court set to deliver its judgment on policy-and-legislation and politics. The court's ruling on this casino-gaming issue may also touch upon casino-and-gambling-related legislation and general-news.
