Minnesota Tribal Casino Executives Seek Dismissal of Federal Lawsuit

January 13, 2025

Executives of two Minnesota tribal casinos, Grand Casino Hinckley and Grand Casino Mille Lacs, are urging a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the commercial casino Running Aces. The lawsuit alleges violations of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and state gambling laws, claiming the tribal casinos’ Class III gaming activities provide an unfair competitive advantage.

The tribal executives argue sovereign immunity shields the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, which owns the casinos, from being joined in the lawsuit. They cite a recent Ninth Circuit ruling in a similar case as precedent for dismissal.

Oral arguments on the motion are scheduled for Jan. 28 in U.S. District Court in Minnesota.

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