In a shocking turn of events, Running Aces Casino & Racetrack has filed a lawsuit against three tribal casinos in Minnesota, alleging that they have been using unauthorized versions of their popular card games. The lawsuit, which was filed in Hennepin County District Court, names Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Grand Casino Mille Lacs, and Grand Casino Hinckley as defendants.
According to court documents, Running Aces claims that the tribal casinos have been offering games such as blackjack, poker, and pai gow that are “substantially similar” to those offered at their own establishment. The lawsuit alleges that the tribal casinos have been infringing on Running Aces’ intellectual property rights by offering these unauthorized games to their customers.
In a statement released to the press, Running Aces General Manager Taro Ito said, “We have invested significant time and resources into developing and perfecting our card games, and it is unfair for the tribal casinos to profit off of our hard work without permission. We have no choice but to take legal action to protect our intellectual property.”
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, as well as an injunction to prevent the tribal casinos from offering the allegedly infringing games. Running Aces is also requesting the return of any profits that the tribal casinos have made from the unauthorized use of their games.
In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Mystic Lake Casino Hotel stated that they are reviewing the allegations and will respond in due course. Representatives from Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley have yet to comment on the lawsuit.
This lawsuit comes at a time when tensions between non-tribal and tribal casinos in Minnesota have been escalating. Running Aces has long been critical of the preferential treatment and tax benefits that tribal casinos receive from the state government, while tribal casinos have accused non-tribal casinos of encroaching on their territory.
It remains to be seen how this lawsuit will play out in court, but one thing is for certain – the stakes are high in this battle between Running Aces and the tribal casinos. As this legal drama unfolds, one thing is clear: the Minnesota casino industry is in for a wild ride.
