In a shocking turn of events, Running Aces Casino & Racetrack in Columbus, Minnesota has filed a federal racketeering lawsuit against several Minnesota tribal casinos. The lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, alleges that the tribal casinos engaged in a conspiracy to monopolize the market for gambling in the state and drive competitors, including Running Aces, out of business.
The lawsuit specifically names several prominent tribal casinos as defendants, including Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Treasure Island Resort & Casino, and Grand Casino Mille Lacs. According to the complaint, these casinos have colluded to stifle competition by pressuring vendors not to do business with Running Aces, engaging in predatory pricing practices, and spreading false and misleading information about the casino.
In a statement released to the press, Running Aces CEO Taffy J. Hines stated, “We have been unfairly targeted and undermined by these tribal casinos for far too long. It is time for us to take a stand and fight back against these illegal and unethical practices.”
The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $100 million and injunctive relief to prevent the tribal casinos from continuing their alleged anti-competitive behavior. Running Aces is being represented by a team of high-profile attorneys, including former U.S. Attorney David L. Schwartz.
The tribal casinos named in the lawsuit have yet to publicly comment on the allegations, but industry experts believe that this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the gambling industry in Minnesota.
In response to the lawsuit, the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association released a statement condemning Running Aces’ actions. “We are deeply disappointed that Running Aces has chosen to pursue this course of action,” the statement read. “Tribal casinos play a vital role in the economic development of our communities, and we will vigorously defend ourselves against these baseless allegations.”
As the legal battle unfolds, all eyes will be on U.S. District Court to see how this high-stakes conflict between tribal casinos and a non-tribal competitor will play out. This lawsuit could have a lasting impact on the gambling landscape in Minnesota and beyond.