Minnesota Harness Track Files Lawsuit Against Tribal Casinos

Minnesota harness track Running Aces has filed a lawsuit against three tribal casinos over unauthorized card games which give the casinos an "unfair competitive advantage," reports the Star Tribune.

State compacts at the three named casinos limit games of chance to slot machines and blackjack, but the lawsuit claims the casinos have also been offering card games such as Three Card Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em, which are hosted at Running Aces.

"All that we have ever sought was to be treated fairly, compete on a level playing field, take advantage of improvements within the pari-mutuel environment, and operate without fear of being eliminated," Running Aces CEO Taro Ito said in a written statement. "It is our sincere desire to have our day in court and let the facts determine the outcome."

The lawsuit follows action on horse racing interests from both the Minnesota Racing Commission and the state legislature in recent weeks. The legislature is considering bills which would legalize sports wagering in the state, but those bills give the tribes exclusive rights to partner with a sports wagering platform while offering minimal stipends for the state's two tracks, Running Aces and Canterbury Park, to share. 

In response, the MRC voted to approve historical horse racing, leading to bills being introduced into the legislature to ban HHR. The legislative session ends in five weeks.

Read more at the Star Tribune.