Editor
Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack in Columbus, Minn., lost a second effort to bring legal action against three rival tribal casinos and multiple tribal officials and gaming employees. In a legal filing, U.S. District Court Judge Patrick Schiltz issued a ruling on Aug. 15 against Running Aces, denying the motion that stems from a suit initially filed in 2022.
Running Aces alleged that Grand Casinos in Hinckley and Mille Lacs and Treasure Island Resort in Welch violated their state gaming compacts by offering Three-Card Poker, Mississippi Stud, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em – popular poker-based, casino table games.
Running Aces filed a RICO claim against tribal members instead of filing a suit against the Tribes as a whole.
“There can be no question that imposing enormous financial liability on the individuals who operate (the) PIIC and (Mille Lacs) casinos — even the threat of such liability — is likely to severely hamper those Tribes’ ability to operate their casinos, which are their economic lifeblood,” the judge wrote.
Initial Ruling Against Running Aces
In March, Schiltz denied the claims of Running Aces based on tribal arguments of sovereign immunity. The judge pointed out that “Running Aces did not sue the Tribes, however, presumably because the Tribes are immune from suit. Instead, Running Aces named dozens of current and former employees and officials associated with the casinos in both their individual and official capacities.”
The dismissal also said, “this lawsuit is of enormous economic importance to the absent Tribes, and protecting the economic sustainability of tribes is a primary goal of IGRA specifically and federal Indian policy generally. The Court therefore has little trouble concluding that the Tribes’ interests in protecting a critical source of funds and jobs outweigh Running Aces’s interest in a forum for its claims of competitive injury.”
Amended Complaint
Running Aces regrouped and amended their complaint, looking to split the suit. Judge Schiltz struck down their motion on grounds that they took too long, 169 days, between the dismissal and the filing of the amended complaint. He called it “an inexcusable delay.”
PokerScout reached out to Running Aces for a comment on the matter. At time of publication, no response was received.
PokerScout also reached out to tribal officials but did not receive a response. In a statement to MPR News, Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal Council President Grant Johnson said the council is grateful that the lawsuit was dismissed.
“We agree with the decision by Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz that the lawsuit was improperly brought against our employees and tribal leaders,” he said.
