Federal court docket backs Cayuga Nation in gaming dispute

A federal decide has dominated in favor of the Cayuga Nation, rejecting an try by the New York State Gaming Commission to dismiss a lawsuit over gaming operations on the Nation’s land.

The July 30 determination by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York permits the Cayuga Nation to proceed with its claims, which allege that the state is illegally working Class III gaming actions—akin to PowerBall and Mega Millions—on the Nation’s federally acknowledged 64,015-acre reservation with out a legitimate compact or tribal consent.

The court docket discovered it has jurisdiction to listen to the case and rejected arguments that the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) restricted the Nation’s capacity to deliver its claims in federal court docket. The ruling said that IGRA’s provisions are “judicially administrable” and don’t limit a court docket from exercising equitable jurisdiction.

According to the Nation, lottery merchandising machines and terminals operated by the state represent Class III gaming, which beneath IGRA, requires each tribal consent and a federally authorized compact.

“The Cayuga Nation has exercised its sovereign authority to regulate gaming on its Reservation under IGRA,” mentioned Clint Halftown, the Nation’s federally acknowledged consultant. “New York State’s operation of Class III gaming on the Nation’s reservation is illegal and needs to be discontinued. It unfairly competes with the Nation’s casinos and is a clear violation of federal and Nation law.”

Halftown mentioned the lawsuit is about defending tribal sovereignty and implementing federal legislation. “This is about standing up for our rights and protecting the integrity of our laws, our businesses, and our community,” he mentioned.

The ruling marks a serious step ahead within the Nation’s effort to claim management over gaming on its land.