In a surprising turn of events, another Ute tribe has joined the ongoing legal battle against the state of Colorado over online gambling regulations. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe recently filed a lawsuit against the state, claiming that current regulations unfairly advantage non-Indian gaming operators and violate federal law.
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe, which operates the popular Sky Ute Casino Resort in Ignacio, Colorado, is the second Ute tribe to join the lawsuit, following the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe’s filing earlier this year. The two tribes have come together to challenge the state’s decision to limit online gambling licenses to only a few non-Indian operators, effectively excluding tribes from the market.
According to the lawsuit, the state’s regulations violate the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), which requires states to negotiate gaming compacts with tribes in good faith. The tribes argue that by excluding them from the online gambling market, the state is not fulfilling its obligations under federal law.
In a statement, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe expressed their frustration with the state’s actions, saying, “We have invested significant resources and efforts to develop our gaming operations and provide a competitive gaming experience for our customers. It is unfair and unjust for the state to exclude us from the online gambling market.”
The lawsuit comes at a time when online gambling is becoming increasingly popular, with more states legalizing and regulating the industry. Colorado recently passed a law allowing online sports betting, but the regulations for online casino games have been more restrictive, leading to the current legal battle.
The outcome of the lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the future of online gambling in Colorado and beyond. If the tribes are successful in their challenge, it could open the door for more tribal involvement in the online gambling market and potentially lead to changes in regulations in other states as well.
The state of Colorado has not yet responded to the lawsuit, but legal experts predict that the case could drag on for months or even years before a resolution is reached. In the meantime, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe remain steadfast in their fight for a fair and equal playing field in the online gambling industry.